Lifestyle choices
Thanks to a landmark 10-year study by the MacArthur Foundation, we know that 70% of physical aging, and about 50% of mental aging, is determined by lifestyle — the choices we make every day.
7-8 hours
According to Time magazine, getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night can improve concentration, sharpen planning and memory skills, and maintain the fat-burning systems that regulate our weight. If every one of us slept as much as we’re supposed to, we’d all be lighter, less prone to developing Type 2 diabetes and most likely better equipped to battle depression and anxiety.
Walk more, sit less
Studies show that walking briskly for one to two hours a week (15-20 minutes a day) starts to decrease the changes of having a heart attack or stroke, developing diabetes or dying prematurely.
$30 billion
The nation spends $30 billion a year treating older adults for the effects of falls. If we cannot
stem the rate of falls, it’s projected that direct treatment costs will reach $69.5 billion by 2020.
1/3
Only one-third of pre-retirees say they have a retirement plan, compared to just 57% of retirees.
80% vs. 20%
Retirees are four times more likely to say they are continuing to work in retirement because they “want to” (80%) rather than because they “have to” (20%).
Sources: Cohousing Association of the U.S., Charles Schwab 401(k) Participant Survey, August 2014, 2013. Merrill Lynch and Age Wave national study, “Family & Retirement: The Elephant in the Room.” 2014 Merrill Lynch and Age Wave national study, “Work in Retirement: Myths and Motivations.” Society of Actuaries Risks and Process of Retirement Survey Report of Findings, Harvard School of Public Health