What are the most important everyday habits that can lead to a longer, more vibrant life? Geriatric specialist Dr. Richard W. Besdine can tell you.
The 80-year-old started one of the first geriatrics programs in the U.S. 55 years ago at Harvard Medical School, and he’s currently a professor of medicine and public health at Brown University.
In a CNBC article, Dr. Besdine says that, at 80, he’s outlived the average American’s life expectancy, which, for the first time in 100 years, has been on the decline. In 2014, our anticipated lifespan was 78.9 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2017, it dropped to 78.6 years.
What’s causing this recent setback in Americans’ life expectancies? Dr. Besdine says, “If you ask me, the biggest drivers are obesity, physical inactivity, smoking and substance abuse. But the good news is that that it’s never too late to change your lifestyle.”
He goes on to list these five tips for a longer, healthier life:
- Eat like a Greek
- Get your heart rate going
- Quit smoking and vaping (or never start)
- Stay on top of doctor visits
- Make time for mental health
Click here to read all the details. It’s never too late to start living better, longer!
