Staying Healthy As We Age

Do you want to be as healthy as a 40 year old, when you are 70? Margie E. Lachman and Stefan Agrigoroaei from the Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts looked at what factors seem to affect health in midlife and old age.


They found that 3 factors were highly protective of health (especially when combined):

• Control beliefs -  how much participants thought that they could influence what happens in their life including whether they believed that their actions could bring about good health. If we believe that our actions can impact on our health then we are more likely to make healthy choices. 

• Social support (How much do members of your family really care about you?)

• Regular exercise

The study controlled for three risk factors known to impact on health:

• Smoking

• Alcohol and Drug Abuse

• Waist Circumference 

Older adults who believed they could influence their health through their behaviour; who had good social support and took regular exercise had health that was similar to younger and middle-aged people. 


If you have all three factors in your 50's you are more likely to be healthy in your 60's.

My new Vibram's - oh the excitement!

So I am going to put on my running shoes and go for a jog with my daughter...how about you?