What makes for a long and happy life? Some things which are spiritual, some things which are material, and some things which are physical. While not everything that happens to us in life is under our direct control, chronological age is not a stop sign for an active life. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure your health, happiness, and well being:

Exercise The beauty of a human body is that the more you move it, the less you lose it. Regular exercise, whether it be tennis, swimming, walking, or rock climbing is one of the few magic bullets we can rely on in the battle against advancing age. Circulating oxygen around your body provides a very real service in bringing nutrients from the blood stream to every corner of you body. Exercise also builds up and maintains the muscles in our body and keeps bones dense and strong. Regular physical exercise could add as much as twenty years to the life span of a once sedentary person.

Take a Hike Going on new adventures in the great outdoors is not only good for us physically, but allows us to appreciate and interact with the world around us. By enjoying nature at whatever pace you choose, you can explore new territory or revisit old vistas. Celebrate your birthday by going with a friend for a weekend exploring the great outdoors.

Love Thy Neighbor Being part of a community offers us a vital support system we can rely on as we age. Not only is the companionship of friends a wonderful part of any stage of life, but the psychological support that friendship can bring and the rewards of sharing mutual interests can vastly improve the quality of life as we get older.

Nutrition Key to helping us maintain a healthy body as we age are the nutrients we receive. In addition to a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, high fiber, and low-fat foods, you can help maintain the biological age of our body by including antioxidants as a major feature in your diet. As you age, your body absorbs nutrients less effectively, and general daily supplements, as well as additional key antioxidants (which lessen the impact of some cellular damage), can help preserve your biological youth.