While there are hundreds of factors that determine how long we live, the good news is that we are in control of many of them. And, hey, you've got to start somewhere! Read on to learn 10 simple steps you can take to ensure a longer, healthier life.

10. Eat less.

Many animal studies have demonstrated a connection between eating less and living longer. Dr. Maoshing Ni, author of Secrets of Longevity, examined the diets of a hundred people who had lived to be 100 years old. His data showed that most of them either fasted regularly or ate smaller-than-average quantities of food. How much less? He says that most follow the "three quarters rule": that is, at every meal, they stop eating when they feel three quarters full. This practice is particularly noteworthy in Okinawa, home to some of the most long-lived people in the world. There, they even have an expression for it: Hara hachi blu.

9. Chin up.

Studies show that optimists live longer. One Mayo Clinic study showed that optimistic people decreased their risk of death by 50% in comparison with those who were more pessimistic in outlook. Another Mayo Clinic study followed a group of people for 30 years. The results of that study suggest that optimism may add an average of 12 years to the lifespan. Yet another study showed a strong link between conscientiousness and longevity. Hmmm... it's nice to know there's a reward for being good.

Then again, other studies suggest that people who make more money live longer. Scientists have dubbed this the "hierarchy effect" because it can be applied to so many different kinds of socio-economic scales. For example, one study uncovered the fact that Nobel prize winners live an average of two years longer than those who were nominated but didn't win. Another study found that former salaried employees lived longer than their contract worker counterparts. Yet another study found that government workers who were higher up in the chain of command lived longer than those who were beneath them.

Michael Roizen, author of the Real Age books, claims that 100 orgasms per year add 3 - 8 years to the lifespan. Several studies suggest frequent sex is connected to longevity. Some suggest that the link to longevity may be related to touch. Others point to intimacy and bonding as the reason.

Then again, Reuter's reported earlier this year on a 107 year-old Hong Kong man who says his key to long life is that he has lived a sex-less life since he was widowed at age 30. Who's right? It's hard to say. The scientific evidence in this area is fairly spotty and inconclusive at this point -yet the early findings of studies that link sexual activity and long life certainly are intriguing!

7. Get your omega 3s.

There's probably no simpler way to fend off the #1 killer - heart disease - than to ensure your diet has plenty of omega 3 fatty acids. These essential fats protect blood vessels from plaque and prevent high blood pressure - two problems that contribute to heart disease. Where do omega-3s come from? Fish (especially cold-water varieties), flaxseed, walnuts, and spinach. One proof that omega-3s work: in regions where the diets consist mainly of fish and fresh produce, heart disease rates drop off dramatically.

Studies show that interacting with pets reduces the levels of stress hormones, triggering a relaxation response. And lowering stress hormones can have many positive effects on the aging process. One study even showed that heart attack victims who had pets had better survival rates. And of course, there's also the healthy exercise benefits that come from walking a dog!

5. Taking care of your mind as well as your body will reap great benefits.

We're all familiar with the connections between aging and memory loss. It's good to know that there are many ways to combat this. A simple supplement, phosphatidylserine (PS), has a great track record in Europe for reversing age-related dementia and memory loss. And you don't have to be elderly to benefit: it seems to improve memory for young people as well.

Another way to protect your memory is to give it good, regular workouts. Take a class, learn another language, do crossword puzzles: anything that stretches your mental muscles, and you enjoy enough to do regularly, will help keep you sharp.

4. Stay pro-active about your health.

Regular medical exams can make the difference between surviving and dying from cancer, heart disease, or a host of other problems that are more treatable if caught early. Don't forget to include dental exams, vision exams, and monthly self-exams for breast or testicular cancer. Tetanus boosters every ten years. At age 45, include a diabetic screening every three years. At 50, add flu vaccines every year.

Getting enough, good quality sleep may add to longevity. Studies have linked sleep deprivation with heart disease, inflammation, obesity, depression, and more. Why? Sleep literally helps the body make repairs! Aim for 7 - 9 hours each night. If you have trouble getting to sleep, or staying asleep, try a few drops of Lavendar oil on your pillow. Another remedy is 1 mg of Melatonin taken no more than three nights per week (check with your doctor first). Keeping your bedroom cool, quiet, and as dark as possible will help regulate sleep rhythms as well.

If you've gotten into a poor-sleep cycle, be patient. Lack of sleep leads to increased stress hormones, which leads to more problems with sleep. It can take awhile to get into a healthy sleep pattern again.

2. Get support.

If at all possible, make sure your primary care physician is someone who believes that extending life possible. Believe it or not, some docs either don't share this view or don't think it's part of their job. Other great partners in your quest for longer life can include a fitness coach, nutritionist, alternative medicine practitioner, and life coach or therapist. Keeping up on the latest health research can be incredibly helpful too. Prevention Magazine is a great place to start. And don't forget your online source for information (you guessed it) - Body-Philosophy!

1. Slow and steady wins the race.

Trying to change too many habits at once is simply a recipe for failure. Michael Roizen, author of The Real Age Diet and other books, has this to say about adopting new longevity strategies: "The patients in my clinical practice who have been most successful... have begun by choosing only two or three steps. They stayed on those steps for three months and, after successfully incorporating them into their daily routines, added two or three more steps, and so on, climbing an easy staircase to success." Roizen also advises patients to take the easiest steps first.