4 Reasons Why Former President Jimmy Carter Has Lived Such A Long Life
I’ve never been one to get too worked up over politics. However, I do admire some people who have served our country, namely, the ones who truly understood the role of being a public servant. One of them is Jimmy Carter. Not only has he been a force for good, he has been so for a very long time.
The former U.S. president is 99-years-old and he has lived his life to the fullest. Jimmy Carter is the first president to live until 95 or older and the only one to live to see the 40th anniversary of his inauguration. How did he do it? Well, there are a few reasons.
Research has shown that many people who live beyond 90 have had strong marriages. Jimmy Carter and his late wife, Rosalynn, were married for a remarkable 77 years. The former First Lady died on November 19, 2023, at the age of 96. Despite being in hospice care himself, President Carter was able to attend the memorial service for his beloved wife.
What else accounts for Jimmy Carter’s longevity and stamina besides his good marriage? While genetics certainly must play a part in his long life, so do healthy habits. According to Today, there are four of those habits that experts say have been the key for the former president:
- Having a sense of purpose. President Carter’s charity work and other projects, including his longstanding commitment to Habitat for Humanity, are too numerous to count.
- Strong family ties. It’s important to be part of a loving connection, though it doesn’t have to be a marriage. It can be a spouse, but also a sibling, a friend, or any relationship where a person feels seen and heard.
- Regular exercise. There is so much evidence supporting the benefits of daily physical movement that it’s amazing how many able-bodied people still ignore it.
- Faith. It can be a source of meaning and belonging, which is good for the body and soul. After leaving the White House, the former president taught Sunday School for nearly 40 years.
These 8 Healthy Habits Could Add Decades To Your Life
1. Exercise
The study’s authors find that working out is one of the most important behaviors anyone can do to improve health. It can lead to a 46% decrease in the risk of death from any cause compared to those who don’t exercise.
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2. Not becoming addicted to opioids
Opioid addiction became an epidemic in America beginning in the 1990s, largely due to nefarious marketing tactics and over-prescription. Avoiding a dependency on opioid drugs can reduce the risk of early death by 38%.
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3. Never using tobacco
The study finds that never smoking can lower the risk of death by 29%. However, even if you have used tobacco products, stopping at any point in life comes with major health benefits.
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4. Managing stress
While some amount of stress will always be with us, especially during our working years, it behooves us to find ways of reducing its effect on our health. Managing your stress can reduce the risk of early death by 22%, according to the study.
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5. Eating a plant-based diet
This is one of the most challenging ones on the list. Shifting to a plant-based diet requires real commitment, but it appears to be worth the effort. The study shows doing so could raise your chance of living longer by 21%.
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6. Avoiding binge drinking
Not having more than four alcoholic drinks a day reduces the risk of death by 19%, study results show. As with opioids, alcohol addiction can lead to devastating outcomes, both for the user and the people around them.
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7. Getting a good night’s sleep
Along with managing stress, it pays to be mindful of one’s sleep. The study’s authors say that at least seven hours a night can reduce early death by 18%. I think it’s even worth investing in some things, like a humidifier, that can help with your sleep quality.
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8. Having positive social relationships
The COVID-19 pandemic showed what social isolation can do to a person’s well-being. Loneliness has actually been called an epidemic of its own, especially among the elderly. We all need supportive people in our lives. Those healthy relationships with family and friends can help boost longevity by 5%.
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