Your Villa Magazine - Foothill Cities - November-December - 2023

H E A LT H + B E A U T Y Three habits you can work into your daily routine to improve longevity Americans are optimistic about their longevity. A recent survey by MDVIP - a national network of primary care doctors focused on preventive medicine - and Ipsos found that 67% of Americans want to live longer than their parents and 87% want to take steps to live healthier for longer. However, 74% of Americans failed a basic 20-question quiz on the lifestyle factors that influence aging and longevity. Living longer doesn’t happen by accident or by the grace of genetics alone. “Study after study has shown that our lifetime of decisions about what we eat, whether we exercise or whether we’re managing stress have a considerable impact on how well we age,” said Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP. Another thing to consider is that extending your lifespan shouldn’t be the only goal. You want to focus on maximizing the number of healthy years of your life. By increasing your “healthspan” - how many years you live without serious disease - you can enjoy your life well into your 80s and beyond. Three simple habits you can incorporate into your life to help improve your healthspan: Invest in your health like you do your finances To invest in your health, you need to learn more about your family’s medical history and how lifestyle changes can improve your healthspan. “Just like you start saving for retirement in your 20s, you need to start investing as early as possible in your health,” said Dr. Klemes. “Try taking a ‘portfolio’ approach to longevity and make sure you have a primary care doctor who will help you build the right mix of healthy habits based on your history, risk factors and goals.” Prioritize socializing and happiness When you think about your health, you likely think about what you, as an individual, can do to improve your wellness and longevity. However, your health can be greatly impacted by the relationships you form and maintain throughout your life. That’s because having healthy, stable and strong relationships positively impacts your happiness. Find a primary care physician Establishing a relationship with a primary care physician (PCP) and getting annual check-ups is vital to improving your healthspan. A PCP will get to know you and monitor any changes to your health that could otherwise be missed if you don’t have a regular doctor. Visit MDVIP.com/LongevityIQ and take the Longevity quiz to understand more about the factors that influence aging. There you can also learn what steps you can take to help extend your healthy years. BrandPointContent.com edited by YourVilla Sta 34 | Your Villa Magazine