20 Ways to Live As Long As You Want

There's no magic pill that guarantees a long life but you have more control over longevity than you might think. Science has found some simple lifestyle changes and habits that increase your odds of living a longer life.

Top of the list: Don't smoke. If you do smoke—no matter how old you are—quit.

Studies have found that pet ownership lowers certain health risk factors, especially cardiovascular disease. Dogs are more active, on average, and provide social support and motivation to get up and move around. They can also relieve anxiety and lower depression, a condition that as been connected to shorter life spans.

Diet is one of the key lifestyle elements that influences health and longevity. If you haven't yet cut back on sugar and refined flour, you're not optimizing yourself for a long life. Whole grains not only fill you up and keep you satiated longer than white flours and processed carbohydrates, they also have essential vitamins and nutrients that keep you young and vital.

Getting in shape, exercising regularly, staying strong, moving around (even for two minutes at a time)—it all adds up to extra years of life. You don't have to do anything fancy. It doesn't have to cost anything. But getting in shape, and working to stay that way, adds up on the other end of life.

Mental decline is common as we age, and that can lead to injury, depression and other conditions that shave years off our lives. Keeping your brain fit and active can give you longer years of a healthy life. So, work those crosswords, take that language class, learn new skills. Never stop stimulating your brain.

Dozens of studies have found that people who often socialize and have meaningful friendships live longer. In fact, friendships and human connection were as related to longer life as good sleep, healthy hearts and a diet filled with vegetables.

Routine health screenings can catch problems before they otherwise show symptoms. Early detection—and treatment—saves and prolongs lives. Doctors know what tests to run at which age, what funny bumps and spots need further examination, and what to look out for. Avoiding the doc doesn't make potential problems go away.

The state of your mouth can say something about the state of your overall health. Poor oral hygiene can contribute to problems, such as heart disease. Brushing and flossing daily, and seeing the dentist regularly are not only checks on your overall health but they also contribute to a longer life.

Even those who suffer from long-term chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis and high cholesterol, can increase their odds for longer life through prescription medication. While all medications have some side effects, finding the right combination and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may extend life well beyond what you thought possible.

Regular physical activity—just getting up and out the door once a day—has been shown time and time again to add to the average life span. A study of Seventh-day Adventists, a religious group whose living requirements include daily physical exercise, showed that they lived 10 years longer on average than the rest of the population.

For years, people were told to drink low-fat or skim milk to stay healthier. But recent studies show that whole milk might be the healthier option. Whole milk contains less lactose (therefore, less sugar) than skim or low-fat milk. It also has fewer carbs. A glass keeps you full longer, too.

Drinking plenty of water every day is key to a healthy life. It helps to fill you up, keeps everything functioning and nicely lubricated, and plumps up skin and cells. Staying well-hydrated can lower your risk for things like poorly functioning kidneys, which could lead to other health-related problems. You don't need eight glasses a day to make it count.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables every day can significantly lower your risk for stroke, heart attacks, cancer and other serious health issues. If you're not already loading up on fresh greens and vitamin-rich, high-fiber produce, find ways to increase them in your daily meals until they're taking up the most space on your plate.

As you get older, don't give up coffee unless you absolutely have to. Studies are showing that the more coffee you drink (within reason), the higher your odds are for a longer life. People who drink three to four cups a day significantly reduce their risk for early death. This includes decaffeinated brews.

Alcohol, too, can be part of a healthy, long life. Studies show that moderate drinkers, even those who are a little overweight, live longer than those who abstain.

New studies show that even if you're not getting enough sleep during the week, regularly sleeping in on the weekends might make up for the lost hours of shut-eye and prolong life expectancy. Either way, sleep is key to a good, healthy, long life. Find a way to average seven to nine hours a night, even if it's in a marathon sleep-in on Saturdays and Sundays.

A number of studies have concluded that frequent sex is correlated to longer lives for men. What do they mean by frequent? One study in the U.K. found that men who had sex twice a week had half the death rate 10 years after the start of the study than men who had sex just once a month.

Low amounts of vitamin D circulating in your body are connected to increased risk for osteoporosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and cancer. Boosting vitamin D through supplements and D-rich foods like cheese, eggs and certain fishes and grains could lower your risk for these chronic diseases.

What better way to live longer than to take vacations? A new study out of Finland found that men who had certain risk factors for heart disease increased their chances of outliving their peers if they took their vacation days. On the other hand, they shortchanged their life spans if they skipped out on taking time off.

Having purpose through work, volunteering, church or public service has been shown to increase life expectancy. A sense of purpose—being needed—lowers rates of depression, keeps you active and builds social connections. Not only does it make you live longer, it also boosts happiness and quality of life.