Top 10 Ways to Live Long and Be Healthy

Fab-u-lous life-expectancy news: Odds are increasing that you'll see the other side of 90. Look out world! The number of nonagenarians has tripled, according to new government research. At 90, your body's RealAge could be 70ish; at 100, you could be a sharp and active 80-something. That's the point, of course: to live long and be healthy.

If you intend to live forever (well, nearly), the key is to live healthfully now. Here are the top 10 steps to reaching 90 in good health and great shape:

1. Stay active. That daily 30-minute walk is vital to keeping you young. (Walking may be why doing this has longevity benefits, too.)
2. Get enough of these to keep body and brain humming: whole grains, fruits, and veggies; vitamin D3 (1,000 IU; 1,200 after age 60); DHA omega-3s (600-900 mg); low-dose aspirin (talk to your doc first).
3. Get next to none of these: saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars.
4. Sleep 7 1/2 hours to 8 hours a night. Every night.
5. Manage stress. Meditate (here's an easy way) or take two 10- or 15-minute deep-breathing breaks daily.
6. Do. Not. Smoke.
7. Stimulate your brain. Do puzzles, learn languages, and take on new challenges. Stay sharp with these nifty (and fun) brain games.
8. Support "village" movements: neighbors-helping-neighbors programs that let people live independently at home.
9. Harass your legislators to get health costs under control and affordable. At some point, you'll need it. Meanwhile, here are 6 ways to cut your own healthcare costs.
10. Move to North Dakota, Hawaii, or California. They're meccas for 90-year-olds.

Then plan on blowing out more than 90 candles. Once you hit 90, your average life expectancy is 95!

What are you living for? This can make a big longevity difference, too.