The book is called Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100. The title probably sounds intriguing, especially if you can accept the possibility of maintaining reasonably good health into very advanced years. Being of sound mind and body is important at any age. No one wants to experience constant pain or to burden others in our senior years.

Some lifestyle choices of people who live to be quite old may surprise you. There are five small areas around Earth known as Blue Zones. Studies show that the longest-life spans happen in these areas. I learned this long before reading the Zaraska book. My own medical provider, who is termed a lifestyle medicine practitioner, has discussed these people with me. One thing that sets Blue Zone people apart is that they are not big meat eaters. Their food intake places heavy emphasis on whole grains, nuts, beans, fruits and veggies. It is commonly termed a whole food, plant based diet.

Some other lifestyle habits may play a factor in longevity. The author discovered that the two most important factors in living a long life are a healthy romantic relationship and having helpful neighbors, in that order. The book tells us depression is associated with early mortality. Obesity can cause early morbidity, but worse than carrying around an excessive amount of weight is social isolation. Some people ingest protein supplements with the belief that it's healthy. Excessive protein actually shortens lifespans.

I doubt the book will make much difference in your length of life, even if you should work hard to follow every good piece of advice contained therein. Most people just don't take good advice that seriously. What is probably more important than how many days you will live is how you live them. The book contains a lot of sage wisdom. Zaraska advises us to be social, care for others and enjoy life. To follow those recommendations for the rest of our days would surely be a good course of action for everyone.