‘Til Death Do Us Part’: Tips for Increased Longevity
This may sound slightly morbid, but I used to secretly wish that my husband and I would peacefully pass from this world, together, while lying next to each other in our bed, at the ripe old age of 88.
I never bothered to share this wish of mine with anyone, not even my husband, for fear that some might find me curiously creepy and deranged. Apparently, that was the wrong secret to keep. Had I shared my thoughts earlier, I might be the one with the best-selling novel and not Nicholas Sparks, author of the Notebook. Heard of it?
The concept of dying with your spouse or significant other while in a tender embrace has been romanticized since the beginning of time. Why wouldn’t it be? The thought of leaving a loved one behind after years of shared memories, challenges and unconditional love is a thought that makes any sentimental human being well up with emotion.
With the sobering statistics on average life expectancy rates (both domestically and globally), it is unlikely that my ‘death wish’ will be realized. On average, the life expectancy rate for the average U.S. citizen is 78. However, the more interesting (or relevant, in this case) statistic is the gap in life expectancy for men vs. woman. There is a whooping FIVE year difference in life expectancy (men: 76 years, women: 81). Five years?
After being with the same person for almost 6 decades, how could I live for an additional 5 years without him?
I do realize that I have zero control over how I die, when I die and with whom I die. However, assuming I am not destined for a traumatic run-in with a bus or cliff, there are some things my husband and I can do to increase our longevity. If we manage to increase our life expectancy then there may very well be more years to savor our tender embraces.
Thanks to Dan Buettner’s the Blue Zones, I’ve learned a few lifestyle and diet tips, some of which I’ve illustrated in the intermittent photographs (can you guess what they are? If not, check out the website, the Blue Zone), that we have incorporated in our life to potentially increase our life expectancy. A Blue Zone is a community where it is common for members of the population to live, on average, to be 100 as a result of their lifestyle, diet and outlook on life. In this extraordinary book, Buettner examines how people can live a long, healthy and active life without the use of pills or medicine. I highly recommend reading this book to access more of his groundbreaking research and inspiring stories.
There are no guarantees that the diet and lifestyle that has attributed to the longevity of the people in the Blue Zones will boost the number of years my husband and I have together. But these suggestions might actually help us increase the number of years he and I can enjoy a disease-free life. I’ll take that if I can get it.
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Category: Featured Articles: Food Politics, Food Politics, Health & Nutrition
Great post! Every little thing helps, right?
..and secretly I think we all hope we go with our spouse so that no one is left behind.
Wonderful post Patty! It would be wonderful to go in each other’s embrace, but if I had to choose, I would want to go first. I’m just lazy and I’ve gotten used to him taking care of everything
I think hubs needs to see your post. Thanks!
You crack me up every time Patty! I’m gathering that the last image is of your attempts at exercising
If these tips will make me fly, then they MUST work.
Mind you, she failed to put up the 5th photograph that had her crashing into that wall!!
Great great post…the thought of being left alone scares me too…
That was a very well-written post accomanied by some wonderful pictures.
And i think , deep down, all of us want to die peacefully with our spouses. Being alone after your spouse has passed on is frightening
What a nice post to read, Patty! I feel amused cos my husband always tell me that he prays we will leave this world together. I, being very practical, always tells him it’s rather unlikely as death is beyond our control and he would get upset…haha. He thinks I don’t love him enough. Weird how men thinks huh. Yes, totally agree with you……the best is to eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle. Most important we can still move around and enjoy life as we grow old
Count me in on the women who want to die with their husband peacefully. I will be in big trouble if he goes first – who will change my lightbulbs for one thing?! LOL
I am hoping to read that book – so much to learn from people who live long lives. Thanks for sharing this with the Hearth and Soul Hop!
A terrific post, our lifestyles with healthy eating and exercise definitely matter.
Oh, I’d take it, too! This is such a great post…and yeah, the Notebooks. I can’t help my big, mushy self…it’s my favorite love story
Thanks for sharing this with the hearth and soul hop this week!
Thank you for such insight! I am glad I recognized all the vegetables and beans…and even more glad that my family eats it all… but we still cannot fly like you do! (giggle) Exercise that is something we need more off…
The thought of leaving a loved one early or being left alone after one’s spouse passes away is frightening.. But by embracing impermanence in our lives I hope to enjoy, live and love the present moment with my hubs dahling!
I`m up for a diet rich with nuts, fresh fruit and veg and legumes, especially if I get a glass of wine or two to wash it all down! Theresa
Great info – I hope for the same thing but at least at age 102
What a wonderful post!!!My grandmother died at age 99!!!!! I hope my husband has the same gen
My husband is so bad at eating well and exercising. At least if we can’t die together, I can be a hot 77 year old with an even hotter younger boyfriend to share my last 5 years…
Great post and I believe this is a common wish among couples. No one wants to be the one left behind. I have been through it once, I truly wish I don’t have to go through another time.