If I knew I was going to live this long . . .
Don Jacobs, born 11/11/1955
"If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself” (Mickey Mantle, 1978). That famous quote has been attributed to many people. Since I like baseball, I’ve attributed it to Mickey Mantle. Mantle apparently spoke those words when he was 46 years old. He died at the age of 63.
Life Expectancy
For me, turning 70 this month has caused me to think about the brevity of life. I wanted to know just what is the typical life expectancy for a human being? According to Psalm 90:10, “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away” (ESV). So according to the Bible we typically get between 70-80 years on this earth and yes, the days and the years do fly by.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the global life expectancy at birth is 72 with males typically living to 70 and females to 75. In the United States, life expectancy at birth is 77 with males typically living to 75 and females to 80. That’s quite an improvement from just 100 years ago when the life expectancy in the United States was 58 (Popular Science).
Increasing Longevity
Experts believe that about 25% of the variation in human life span is determined by genetics. Fortunately or unfortunately, the other 75% is determined by life-style choices we make. There are three main components to increasing our longevity other than genetics.
Eat a healthy diet. This includes eating more fruit and vegetables and less refined foods and sugar. That also includes not consuming too many calories.
Exercise and stay active. You should be getting 75 minutes a week of vigorous activity or 150 minutes a week of moderate activity. Vigorous activity includes running, biking, pickleball, and swimming. Moderate activity includes walking and weightlifting.
Make good lifestyle choices. These choices include not smoking, avoiding alcohol consumption, getting 7-8 hours of sleep, staying hydrated, socializing, and having a positive attitude.
My Longevity Grade
As a former college professor, I’m use to grading assignments and projects. I decided I would grade myself on the four components to having a longer than average lifespan.
Genetics: My father lived to nearly 86 and my mother is still alive at 89. This indicates that I will likely live longer than the typical male in the United States. Longevity Grade: A-
Diet: I limit my calories but probably eat too much processed foods like breads and desserts. I do eat a lot of salads and more chicken than red meat. According to the CDC, the average man in America weighs 200 pounds and has a body mass index (BMI) of 29 which is in the overweight category. Based on my height and weight, I have a BMI of 24.9 which is at the very top of the healthy weight category. Longevity Grade: B
Exercise: Since I retired, I am exercising on a daily basis. I walk 100-120 minutes per day, ride a stationary bike 35-45 minutes per day, and lift weights 15-30 minutes every other day. In addition, I play pickleball twice a week and dance three or four times per week. I estimate I am getting over 1,000 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every week. This is well above the recommended 150-300 minutes per week by the American Heart Association. Longevity Grade: A
Life-Style Choices: I don’t smoke and I don’t drink alcohol. I get between 6-7 hours of sleep each night which is on the low side of sleep recommended for older adults. I stay hydrated but my urologist would like me to drink more water than I do. I socialize every day with my wife and daughter. I see my grandchildren nearly every week. My wife and I are active members of our adult Sunday School class, attend church each week, attend two life groups, and talk to our mothers on the phone each week. In general, I have a positive attitude about life. My life is centered around family, church, exercise, travel, reading, and writing. Longevity Grade: A-
Conclusion
The truth is we have no idea how much longer we have here on earth. “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14, NASB). We are all one accident or one illness away from life in eternity. It is our responsibility to take good care of the body that God has given us but to also be prepared to face eternity. The older one gets the more certain one becomes that life is short and often filled with suffering and sorrow. “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV).