Did you know… Scientists have been fascinated with the quest for immortality for centuries. In the last decade, however, there have been new discoveries that may contribute significantly to extending life. One study that might have some implications for humans comes from research on jellyfish. It seems that adult jellyfish can transform themselves through a process called trans-differentiation, which involves converting one type of cell into another and back into a juvenile form. (Discover Magazine, May 2015).

In addition, there is a lot of interest in cloning and stem cell research. In a 2014 article in Nature News, author, Monya Baker, reported “two research groups have independently produced human embryonic stem-cell lines from embryos cloned from adult cells.” Their success, she says, “could reinvigorate efforts to use such cells to make patient-specific replacement tissues for degenerative diseases.” This process is expected to expand into other areas in the future.

But the interest in mortality is not without its philosophical, ethical and theological questions. To address some of those issues, the University of California, Riverside, is involved in a research project called, “The Immortality Project”. According to an article in The Press-Enterprise, May 27, 2015, researchers are studying and hope to answer questions that include:

“Whether and in what form(s) persons survive or could survive bodily death
Whether and to what extent persons’ beliefs about immortality influence their behavior, attitudes and character
Why and how persons are (at least pre-reflectively) disposed to believe in post-mortem survival
Whether it is in some areas irrational to desire immortality.”

As the average life span of humans increases, scientists and other researchers continue to investigate diet, drugs, genetics, medical advancements, lifestyle choices and other factors that impact physical, mental and emotional health that defy the aging process.

Did you know… Mental activity prolongs the youthfulness of the brain. People who play games like bridge, Sudoku, chess and board games and do crossword puzzles and other brain teasers tend to ward off dementia longer than those who don’t. The same is true for individuals who engage in other forms of intellectual activity such as reading, listening to the radio, going to lectures, and visiting museums.

The basis for this phenomenon comes from the ongoing stimulation of the hippocampus. It is the part of the brain that is responsible for memory. Playing games increases blood flow to this area and creates new nerve activity. In this manner, the brain stays younger longer.

In the end, mental activity is not only fun but good for you too. Remember the adage, “if you don’t use it, you lose it”… It applies to the aging process. In this context, focus on fun, knowing that playing games and engaging in other intellectual pursuits represent the mental activity that can become a life-extension habit worth developing.

Did you know… according to the U.S. government’s Administration on Aging:

The population age of those 65 and over numbered 46.2 million in 2014, which is a 28% increase since 2004.
Persons reaching age 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional 19.3 years.
In 2014, there were more than 72,000 people in the U.S. who were 100 years or older.
The 85+ population is projected to triple from 6.2 million in 2014 to 14.6 million in 2014 and is projected to more than double to 98 million by 2060.

These are staggering numbers, and it’s why I share them with my audiences when I talk about longevity.

But knowing the statistics is not enough. We need to ask why is it that some people become centennials and super-centennials (those who are 110+) and others don’t? One of the contributing factors is the development of self-worth. Personal worth generally emanates from a passion that reaches deep into the very core of our being. It’s what drives us to do whatever it takes to preserve our ability to be a player in the world and not merely a passive observer on the way out of it.

Passion, in turn, is rooted in conscientiousness and service to others. Conscientious people seek the fulfillment of accomplishment through hard work. They take pride in the things they do and are internally motivated to succeed in that which they set their mind to. Conscientiousness is a personality trait that requires a level of maturity and emotional intelligence. It is the opposite of the “entitled” perspective or the belief that because you’ve reached a certain age, you have earned the right to retire. That mindset is the kiss of death.

The alternative is to begin your journey towards becoming chronologically-gifted with some serious, thoughtful consideration of what your purpose is (or will be) for your remaining years. Think of your life the way a marathoner thinks about the 26.2 miles ahead of him/her. It requires conscious training to hold out against the odds, seek like-minded companions, and always keep the goal in the forefront of your mind.