What's the secret to a long, healthy life? The secret is that it depends on you. You can take steps to keep yourself healthy in the long run. Find out what you know about living longer by taking this true-false quiz.
1. To reduce your risk for chronic disease as an adult, you need to exercise at least 2 hours a day.
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The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans say that you should get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise. Or you should get 75 minutes a week of vigorous exercise. Either of these will give you health benefits. You can break up your activity into chunks of at least 10 minutes each and spread them throughout the week. You should start slowly and build up gradually. Even if you can’t do this much activity, you should be as physically active as your abilities and conditions allow. Check with your healthcare provider before increasing or changing your activity level.
2. A healthy older lifestyle doesn't include smoking.
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Even if you smoke now, it’s not too late to quit. Even people who stop smoking as older adults can see improved health, according to the American Cancer Society. Shortness of breath gets better in 1 to 9 months. Heart attack risk is cut in half within a year. And stroke risk is greatly reduced within 2 years. The risk for many cancers falls within 2 to 5 years of quitting.
3. What you eat plays a major role in your health.
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Eating a balanced diet is important. Include lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day. For a more detailed look at what you should eat—and how much you should eat—visit the USDA's MyPlate website (www.choosemyplate.gov).
4. As long as your diet is balanced, you don't need to worry about those few extra pounds you have put on.
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It's important to maintain a healthy weight. Even if they eat well and exercise regularly, people who are severely overweight or obese are more likely to have health problems. These include some forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoarthritis, according to the American College of Physicians.
5. You should make your health a priority in your life.
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Even simple acts like wearing your seat belt or getting pneumonia vaccines and a yearly flu shot can help you live longer.
6. Your job kept you on your toes mentally. Now that you're retired, you can relax those mental gymnastics.
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You should continue to challenge your mind no matter what your age. The gradual decline in short-term memory often associated with aging may be eased with daily mental challenges, the National Institute on Aging says.
7. Now that you're older, it's too much work to keep up with friends. Friends are for younger people.
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You should continue to invest time in your relationships. People who stay connected to their community, family, and friends live longer than their more isolated peers.
8. A positive attitude helps you live longer.
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A strong belief in yourself and your ability to deal with situations can help you cope with stress. It is an important element in keeping your independence.
9. Even if you are 60 or older, you should still make plans for your financial future.
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If you are 60, you could live 20, 30, or 40 more years. Allocate your resources accordingly.