Three Secrets to a Longer Life

1)Take a break in the staff lounge.

A 10-year study in Australia found that older people with a network of close friends and confidantes outlived their lonely peers by 22 percent. Family ties don’t matter quite as much. (Just try explaining that to your spouse when you stay at school until the wee hours.)

2)Quit Smoking!

Smoking cuts life expectancy by 10 years, according to a British study that followed smokers for 50 years. Another study shows that a 30-year-old smoker can expect to live 35 more years, while a 30-year-old nonsmoker can expect to blow out 83 candles.

3) Stay in school!

but The number-one, top-of-the-charts, most important social factor linked to longer lives is education. According to health economists, it beats race, wealth, or even good health insurance. Check out a Princeton University study that looks at the evidence, including research showing that kids forced to attend school for just one additional year usually pick up another year and a half of life!