[1] “The thinner a person is, the longer they live.” Correct answer: wrong! Being too fat or too thin is bad; people who are too thin have a shorter life expectancy than those of normal weight, and, of course, people who are obese will have an even shorter life expectancy. The state of longevity is: maintain a reasonable BMI. [2] “Ensuring at least 8 hours of sleep a day can prolong life.” Correct answer: wrong! A study at the University of California showed that people who slept 5 to 7 hours a day lived longer than those who slept more than 8 hours or less than 4 hours a day. Too much sleep can be a trigger for depression or other health problems. [3] “Quitting your job early allows you to avoid the stress of work, which can lead to an early death from stress.” Correct answer: wrong! Having something to do usually makes people happier with their lives. One study found that people who retired at 65 lived longer than those who retired at 55. [4] “People who eat sugar live longer than those who don’t.” Correct answer: yes! A Harvard study shows that people who are happy to enjoy a little bit of sweetness every month live longer than those who suppress themselves and don’t eat sugar at all. It is recommended to eat more dark chocolate because it is rich in polyphenols, a substance that protects the heart. [5] “You can live longer by not eating meat or consuming any animal protein.” Correct answer: wrong! Don’t give up low-fat dairy products as well as Omega-3-rich fish protein. A German study showed that a sensible semi-vegetarian diet (consuming fish) is often more likely to extend your life than a complete vegetarian diet (not eating any dairy or fish). [6] “Running is more damaging to people’s bodies and more likely to shorten their life span than walking.” Correct answer: wrong! According to a Danish study, people who exercise reasonably (walking for 30 minutes five times a week) can live 1.5 years longer than those who don’t. However, half an hour of running increases people’s life expectancy by 4 years if they exercise the same frequency. [7] “Getting more involved in clubs and charities can increase people’s life expectancy.” Correct answer: yes! Getting more involved in constructive social activities such as hobby clubs, picnics, sports groups, and charitable activities may extend people’s lifespan. A Harvard study showed that socially active people add four years to their lives. [8] “Single women, who tend to do yoga and Pilates on a regular basis, will therefore live longer than you would if you were already a wife.” Correct answer: wrong! According to a University of Chicago study, married women live four years longer than single women. In fact, happy, mutually supportive relationships between the sexes improve women’s financial and psychological well-being.