7 Weird Ways To Live Longer

Society is embroiled in an eternal quest for youth and immortality. But, the Fountain of Youth turned out to be just a legend and all those anti-aging creams are just fancy lotions. However, science has joined the search for ways to live longer and some surprising results are popping up. Here are seven surprising ways you can add extra years to your life, and maybe even make your years a little more fun and rewarding.


7. Find Religion

If the Fountain of Youth does appear, it might be full of holy water. No matter what the faith, people who attend church, pray, meditate, or simply define themselves as religious tend to live longer. It’s unlikely that a higher power is granting extra years. It’s more likely that people of faith deal with stress and anxiety better, live less risky lives and have more supportive social circles.


6. Do Something Nice

We all learned the Golden Rule as little kids, but, aside from just being a good thing to do, serving others can actually help you live longer. Research shows that people who volunteer, help in their communities, donate money to charity or help take care of friends and relatives are rewarded with extra time on earth.


5. Get Less Sleep

It looks like all those all-night study sessions and late nights at the office might pay off in a big way. Eight hours of sleep a night has long been touted as the ideal amount, but scientist now believe that lowering it to six can decrease mortality risks. On a related note, sleep aids actually increase risk of death, so you may be better off tossing and turning than popping the pill.


4. Have More Sex

Easily the most fun suggestion on this list, being intimate more often may also mean living longer. A recent study from the University of Belfast shows that orgasms lower risk of mortality. Plus, sex increases your heart rate and serves as a cardiovascular exercise that’s a lot more enjoyable than an hour on the treadmill. Add in the fact that sex is good for lowering stress and amping up your immune system and you’ve got lots of reasons to get busy.


3. Eat Less

Everyone knows that you need to eat well to stay healthy. But, new research is showing that extremely low calorie diets can lead to longer lifespans. The obvious reasons are the lower risks of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses. However, scientists believe that there may be other factors at play as well, though they remain a mystery. But, how long would you want to live without your favorite Girl Scout cookies?


2. Live On A Mountain

Aside from getting to enjoy beautiful scenery every day, people that live in the mountains tend to live longer. In fact, the U.S towns with the longest lifespans are in the mountains of Colorado and many people in the Scandinavian mountains live well over 100. The exercise from walking uphill often, plus the fresh air and lack of pollution likely contributes to the impact mountains have on lifespan.


1. Laugh More

It’s true; laughter is the best medicine. People who laugh often may have less stress, better immune systems, burn more calories and have lower blood pressure, all of which contributes to a long lifespan. If you find yourself constantly have to fake a chuckle at your boss’s lame jokes, there’s good news. Even insincere laughter can be helpful.