Longevity Test ~ Can You Believe It?
I did a longevity test just to see what kind of questions they asked, and what the outcome would be.
The questions were divided into several categories, medical, diet, exercise, social, lifestyle, and family history.
There were questions about managing stress, adequate sleep, how much fast food you eat, how much red meat, smoking, drinking alcohol, wearing sunscreen, how much coffee or tea, current conflicts, worry and anxiety etc.
It also asked about cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and recent physical exams. I don’t go to doctors, so the only option on those questions was “no exam in the past three years”.
I hardly ever wear sunscreen because it makes my eyes water, and my skin itch. I went through all the EWG ratings on the various types of sunscreens to find one that had the least chemicals, no fragrance, and low toxicity. I ended up buying the brand Think. It is mineral based, and supposed to be safe for sensitive skin, and for babies.
But alas it still made my skin itch, so I tend to avoid it. I answered that question with “sometimes”.
I don’t eat fast foods, or much red meat, so I guess I scored a few points there.
It surprised me they did not ask questions about medications, other than how often you take aspirin. Surely it would be important to ask people if they take sleeping pills every night, if they take benzodiazepines, opiates, diet drugs, psych meds, cardiac meds, blood thinners, statins, frequent use of antibiotics etc.
I think the fewer medications we take, the better. Some medications are dangerous, especially as we age. Many of them cause life altering side effects. I don’t think prescription meds can be underestimated, when it comes to having an effect on quality of life, and longevity.
Yet there are medications people swear by. I know a woman who gets flare ups of gout. She takes a certain medication, and claims it works almost overnight. So in cases like that, it seems it might be worth it.
As far as my own longevity, I thought the outcome would probably be about the average life expectancy for women, which is 84 years in Canada, and 81 years in the US.
The result to my surprise was 95, which I think is possible, but unrealistic. In fact, I think it is doubtful.
But here is the catch, giving an obvious reason the result was so high. The site is linked to a financial planning scheme. Once they give you the result, the first question is “Do you have enough money to last until you are 95?”
Now I am curious, if I would have said I smoke three packs a day, eat red meat and fast food seven days a week, never exercise, sleep poorly, cannot manage stress, and have extreme obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. What would the longevity outcome be for unhealthy people? Especially since the whole exercise ended up revolving around the financial planning hook.
Surely they wouldn’t say your life expectancy is 65, so don’t worry about retirement planning. My guess is that even for those with poor health and medical histories, they would put your longevity high enough to garner concern for long-term financial well-being.
What if a person with terminal cancer filled out the quiz? I suppose they might offer a financial plan for funeral services.
Although there are general guidelines for increased longevity, I don’t think anyone can predict it. Some people lead very healthy lifestyles, and still get cancer, or have a heart attack or stroke. How often do you hear of a very fit man in his fifties or sixties having a heart attack while playing tennis, or jogging? It seems common.
Other people have a great deal of stress throughout their lives, immigrated from war torn countries, lost husbands, lost children, and went through extreme poverty – yet they live to be 100.
I do think disposition plays a role. If a person can manage to be calm, relaxed, cheerful, and happy with what they have – it is more likely to improve longevity. More than anything we should be cultivating the fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Chronic depression and anxiety is probably worse than obesity or smoking in the long run.
One of the benefits of aging, especially as a Christian, is it takes away the fear and uncertainty of death. It makes all the difference in the world.
Even if we have family members who are unforgiving, we can know we are forgiven based on what Christ did for us on the cross. He teaches us to forgive others, and because of His grace, we have peace, regardless of what happens.
In my opinion, drawing closer to Christ increases the quality of life, especially when it comes to peace of mind, gratitude, and reduced anxiety.
If we created a list of things we could worry about, it would be a very long list. Most of the things we worry about never happen.
Here is an example. Years ago there was an elderly woman in the hospital who had a stroke. She was admitted to long term care with little chance of recovery. Her husband was healthy, in his seventies, and would visit his wife in the hospital.
One day while he was outside mowing the lawn, he got dive bombed by a bird. The beak penetrated his temple, and he collapsed. He never recovered.
If someone told me that story, I would find it hard to believe. Yet this man who had visited his wife daily had suddenly passed away, and this was the explanation.
How many people worry about getting killed by a bird while mowing the grass? In fact there are so many freak accidents, it would throw us for a loop if we worried about it.
Things to avoid. Taking selfies while hanging over a cliff. Going on long solo backpacking trips in rugged wilderness areas, especially without a locator beacon. Getting married to someone you met online who immediately takes out a life insurance policy on you.
But those are things we can control. We cannot control what other people might do. These days, we all have to walk among the addicts and homeless people if we live in any downtown location. Occasionally you pass by someone who is very agitated, and clearly out of touch with reality.
I am no longer afraid of walking past troubled people on the streets. They are just trying to survive, and for the most part do not bother people who are walking by.
The only thing I will turn around and retreat, cross the street, or walk extra blocks to avoid – is Pit Bull dogs. I know many people would find this to be irrational, but even so…
I was reading about all the people who spend time in Arizona, which is far too hot in the summer. If you spend time there, you have to be aware of all the types of snakes, in particular rattle snakes.
If I lived in an area crawling with rattle snakes and scorpions, it would be difficult to go for a walk and enjoy it. I would be having a panic attack over every leaf that blew past.
So part of the gratitude in getting outdoors and going for walks, is that there are no deadly snakes where I live, no scorpions, and not that many Pit Bulls. At least you can see them coming!
Another futile thing we tend to worry about, is what people think of us. We really have no idea what people think, and nor should it matter.
How we treat other people does matter, and to a certain extent our reputation matters. However, we all mess up throughout our lives, which is why we need forgiveness.
Romans 3:23-24
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
One way or another, we will all eventually wither like the grass, yet the word of God is forever, therefore it is more important than anything else in this world.
Isaiah 40:6-8
8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.