Longevity Resource Center
Wellness & SelfcareHealthy LivingLongevity

Longevity

by
Longevity refers to the duration of a person’s life. Healthspan refers to a person’s ability to sustain quality of life, athletic ability, cognitive function, and a healthy sleep schedule in their later years. Your lifespan and healthspan are both affected by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

 Research has found that individuals who live into their nineties and beyond share certain factors, including managing stress, not smoking, and not having obesity, all of which reduce the risk of chronic age-related diseases.

 A range of supplements, devices, and lifestyle approaches claim to boost longevity, but while some may help, they’re no substitute for regular exercise, a good sleep schedule, a healthy diet, and staying on top of chronic health problems.

   Poll

How often do you get more than 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly?

FAQ

What factors influence longevity?

Genetics, lifestyle, and habits can shorten or extend your lifespan. Prioritizing plants in your diet, getting daily exercise, effectively managing stress, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and focusing on social connection are longevity-preserving habits.

Eating patterns that are full of plant-based, nutrient-dense foods and healthy fats can reduce chronic disease, and some longevity experts also recommend time-restricted eating. A specific longevity diet exists, but solid research on its effectiveness isn’t available.

Regular physical activity maintains cardiovascular health and muscle function. Adding vigorous activity and strength training to moderate physical activity may add longevity benefits and reduce your risk of early mortality. A balanced exercise regimen might maximize longevity benefits.

Chronic stress can accelerate aging and increase disease risk. Stress may worsen inflammation, increasing your risk of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease that shorten your lifespan. Common self-care methods, including yoga and mindfulness, may support improved longevity.

Strong social bonds reduce stress and promote emotional well-being. Robust social relationships might help people live longer, happier lives and protect cognitive health. Staying socially active in later life can promote good physical and mental health as you age.

Meet Our Experts In Longevity
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
Everyday Health’s team of board-certified physicians and health professionals contribute to the creation and review of content, ensuring that the information is useful, up to date, and accurate.
Justin Laube

Justin Laube, MD

Medical Reviewer

Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, a...

See full bio
Stephanie-Young-Moss-bio

Stephanie Young Moss, PharmD

Medical Reviewer

Stephanie Young Moss, PharmD, has worked in pharmacy, community outreach, regulatory compliance, managed care, and health economics and outcomes research. Dr. Young Moss is the own...

See full bio
joy-tanaka-bio

Joy Tanaka, PhD

Medical Reviewer

Joy Tanaka, PhD, specializes in clinical molecular genetics. She is dedicated to integrating excellent clinical care with cutting-edge medical research for patients with rare and u...

See full bio
Simran-Malhotra-bio

Simran Malhotra, MD

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Simran Malhotra, MD, DipABLM, CHWC, is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, hospice and palliative care, and lifestyle medicine, as well as a certified health a...
See full bio

Sanjai Sinha, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician and an assistant professor of clinical medicine and the director of the care management program at Weill Cornell ...
See full bio
jason-paul-chua-bio

Jason Paul Chua, MD, PhD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jason Chua, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Division of Movement Disorders at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He received his training at th...

See full bio
grant-chu-bio

Grant Chu, MD, MS, MBA, FACP

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Grant Chu, MD, is an associate clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Chu is also associate director of inpatient East-West consult services at the ...

See full bio
kayli-anderson-bio

Kayli Anderson, RDN

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Kayli Anderson has over a decade of experience in nutrition, culinary education, and lifestyle medicine. She believes that eating well should be simple, pleasurable, and sustainabl...

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Supplements for Healthy Aging. Stanford Lifestyle Medicine. March 11, 2024.
  2. Is Longevity Determined by Genetics? MedlinePlus. July 11, 2022.

ALL LONGEVITY ARTICLES

See All Articles