Will YOU Live to be 100?

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Life is short. In the Philippines, the average life expectancy of a man is 66, according to the National Statistics Office. That of a woman is 72.

But you can stretch it by testing your Longevity IQ. Thanks to the Longevity Death Calculator of Dr David J. Demko, author and professor of Gerontology who earned his PhD at the University of Michigan.

I took his 55-item quiz and got a life-expectancy score of 73. I checked what things I could change, and my score increased to over 100.

Surprisingly, those changes are simple. Like having (or finding the time to undergo) an annual physical exam. Which increases your life-expectancy by 6 years.

Another is volunteering on a weekly basis, which adds 2 years. Why? Because studies confirm that volunteering focuses attention away from ourselves and onto others.

So does having a confidant who listens to your most intimate concerns (plus 3 years). Dr Dave believes that confidants offer emotional catharsis and a sense of personal worth to those in crisis.

Quitting smoking also adds 5 years of being with your loved ones. Though I've heard it said that smoking helps you lose weight ... one lung at a time.

Back to serious stuff, keeping a written list of specific life goals with time frames for completion also increases your life-expectancy, according to Dr Dave. So does having between 6 and 8 hours of sleep. Both sleep deprivation and excessive sleep are bad for you.

And if the time you take to consume your meal is LESS than 30 minutes--which in this fast-paced world is often a case I'm guilty of--you're reducing your life expectancy as well. The fact is, your brain requires 30 minutes to measure fullness, by which time you're often on a second or third helping.

So, will YOU live to be 100? Stop wondering and take the test.

And when you're done, remember that as your Lifeplanner, I can be your confidant who'll stand by you throughout your life, propose appropriate solutions at life’s various stages, and help you realize your dreams. That is the mission of the Lifeplanners® of Sony Life. We are the bridge to the dreams you and your family hold dear.

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