I've been talking about the power you have to live healthier longer for decades. But it's still exciting when a large, well-conducted study confirms how much difference lifestyle choices can make in the length and quality of your life.

As reported at the Nutrition 2023 convention in Boston, data from 2011 to 2019 on more than 700,000 U.S. veterans ages 40 to 99 found that you can live 24 years longer if you adopt eight everyday habits:

1. Being physically active

2. Being free from opioid addiction

3. Not smoking

4. Managing stress

5. Eating healthfully

6. Not regularly binge drinking

7. Having good sleep hygiene

8. Having positive social relationships 

Lack of physical activity, opioid use, and smoking caused a 30% to 45% greater risk of death during the study period. Stress, binge drinking, poor diet, and poor sleep hygiene were each associated with around a 20% increased risk of death. And a lack of positive social relationships led to a 5% increase.

For an easy-to-follow plan that will help you get regular physical activity, manage stress, eat healthfully, and sleep well, tune into LongevityPlaybook.com.

For help with abuse of opioids and alcohol, check out SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP, and send your zip code via text message to 435748 to find help near you.

Twenty-four more years to play with your grandkids, laugh with your friends, and help your community is a reward worth fighting for.