| Want to add years to your lifespan and squeeze more into your life? You’re not alone. Researchers are constantly on the hunt for ways we can increase our longevity, and they have come up with some pretty surprising findings. To help pave the way for a longer life, check out these seven unexpected things that increase your lifespan. 1. Smiling in photographs Next time someone asks you to smile for the camera, it may be wise to heed their advice if you want to live a longer life. A study by researchers at Wayne State University studied photos of former professional baseball players and found that the bigger their smile, the longer they lived. In fact, those players with the biggest smiles amassed an average of seven more years than those with none. It is believed that this is because big smiles in photographs reflect true happiness, which is beneficial for both your physical and mental well-being. 2. Having "positive" initials While you may not give much thought to your initials, a surprising study by researchers at the University of California has revealed that having initials that spell out positive words (such as ACE, WOW or VIP) could add years on to your life. The study found that men with positive initials lived 4.48 years longer while men with initials that spelled out negative words died 2.8 years younger. Having negative initials most significantly seemed to impact on deaths with psychological components such as suicides and accidents, although there was a noticed increase in longevity in almost all disease categories for those with positive initials. 3. Getting married If you’re lucky enough to have found the guy or girl of your dreams, research suggests that taking the next step and getting married could add years on to your lifespan. Being in love has many reported health benefits. In fact, researchers at the University of Rochester reported that a good marriage can be as beneficial for your heart as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and reducing high blood pressure. Multiple research studies and statistics have backed this up, showing that those who are married live longer than singletons, generally due to the fact that they have a higher income and experience less social isolation. 4. Being slightly overweight While poor diets and obesity are bad news for your health, research has suggested that slightly overweight people actually live longer than those of normal weight, and significantly longer than those who are obese or excessively thin. However, David Feeny, who led one of the surprising research studies, has warned that this does not mean that normal weight people should attempt to gain weight to increase their lifespan. Experts explain that although being bigger may add a few years on to your lifespan – perhaps due to it helping to safeguard against the weight loss and frailty that often incurs in old age – that does not mean that it will increase your quality of life. 5. Having religious beliefs Multiple research studies have shown that believing in God – regardless of which faith you adhere to – could help to boost your health and increase your lifespan. A study involving liver transplant patients showed that those who had “strong religious connections” were up to three times more likely to survive, even if they did not attend church. Research results published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences also showed that people who attended regular religious services were 46 percent less likely to die during the six-year study. Experts believe that this may be due to increased social ties, less risky behavior and also the increased ability to cope with stress. 6. Being a social butterfly Healthy living can sometimes seem like hard work and it seems to be rare that the things we love are good for us. However, if you want a fun way to boost your health, take note: research suggests that making regular plans with your friends can help you to live longer by reducing feelings of depression, stress and risky behavior, and encouraging you to look after your health. In fact, a study by Brigham Young University found that having a good social network boosts your survival chances by 50 percent, while having few friends affects you longevity as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 7. Laughter Whether you’re having a giggle with friends or watching a funny movie, laughter is guaranteed to boost your mood and leave you feeling great. However, the benefits of laughter go way beyond that. Studies have found a multitude of ways in which laughter boosts your health, including lowering blood pressure levels, reducing bad cholesterol, enhancing the immune system and helping blood vessels to function better. A seven year study in Norway also found that those who laughed most often in everyday life were 35 per cent less likely to die during the study period. |
Demonstrators outside a Reebok shop in Manhattan, New York
While the names of MTV’s “Hottest MCs in the Game Right Now” continue to argue over ranking, a new list has been unveiled with different names entirely.
Forbes has revealed it’s data for 2013’s wealthiest artists in hip-hop. Topping the money chart is Sean “Diddy” Combs who continues his baller-status reign.
The value summary takes into account non-music ventures, so it was Diddy’s entrepreneurial spirit playing brand ambassador for Diageo’s Cîroc vodka that helped earn him his net worth of $580 million.
Following Diddy were Jay-Z with $475 million and Dr. Dre at $350 million.
Here’s how the top five rounded out:
1. Sean “Diddy” Combs — estimated net worth: $580 million2. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter — $475 million3. Andre “Dr. Dre” Young — $350 million4. Bryan “Birdman” Williams — $150 million5. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson — $125 million
Fans of reading about music artists’ extreme bank accounts will recall that the list reads exactly same order as last year’s list Though, all of the net worths received a bump in the last 365 days.
Last year’s list read:
1. Sean “Diddy” Combs — estimated net worth: $550 million2. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter — $460 million3. Andre “Dr. Dre” Young — $260 million4. Bryan “Birdman” Williams — $125 million5. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson — $110 million
According to the business publication’s website, the values are arrived at by: “looking at past earnings, valuing current holdings, leafing through financial documents and talking to analysts, attorneys, managers, other industry players and even some of the moguls themselves to find the nitty-gritty details.”
forbes
