Have you ever heard about the Death Calculator? If not, then you're in for a great treat!
This is a simple set of questions that has answers that may determine how long you'll live. Originally created by Dr. David J. Demko, a Professor of Geontology and Research Methodology from the University of Michigan. His Death Calculator has 50-55 questions all are based on western culture, traditions, habbits and lifestyle. You can visit his website www.demko.com.
However, since some of the questions aren't applicable in Filipino settings, Dr. Willie T. Ong made a simplier version to give us an idea what it's about. So here's how it works.
The global lifespan of people today is 79 years that's according to Dr. Demko. So, everybody got a 79 years to start with but if you're a Filipino, you gotta start at around 70 years. Why? because it's the Filipino life span(duhh). Also, Dr. Willie Ong arranged the questions and categorized it into 5 categories, Hereditary and Family, Diet and Exercise, Lifestyle, Healthy Outlook, and Relationships.
Let's start!
HEREDITARY & FAMILY
| Questions | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gender | Female+1 | Male-2 |
| 2. Grandparent 85+ | +2 | 0 |
| 3. Family with obesity, diabetes, heart disease | -2 | 0 |
| 4. Two or more daughters | +3 | 0 |
| 5. A graduate | +2 | 0 |
Explanation: Because guys are too hardworking, doesn't show emotion and shorter life span, we get a -2 for that. Genetics play a big part too. Having a parent or a grandparent more than 85 years old gives us +2 extra years but sad to say I don't have parents nor grandparents who lived that long. If you have two or more daughters you get +3 years. In my case I'll assume I'll have 2 daughters in the future. Here in the Philippines, daughters take care of their parents, that's if they are in the country. Lastly, being graduate gives you +2 more years because you're educated enough on how to take care of yourself better than others. So in my computation, I got 71 in Category 1 (70-2+0-2+3+2).
DIET & EXERCISE
| Questions | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Diet of fruit, fish, vegetable | +2 | -3 |
| 2. On and off Diet fads | -5 | 0 |
| 3. Daily aerobic exercise | +3 | 0 |
| 4. Work or ride to work | +1 | 0 |
Explanation: The benefits of diet and exercise are obvious. But the riding to work may not apply in our traffic and polluted streets, well that's Philippines. Just ignore them if they are not applicable. So in my computation, I got 71( the same from Category 1) for this Category (71+2-5+3+0).
LIFESTYLE
| Questions | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Smoke a pack daily | -4 | 0 |
| 2. Live or work with smokers | -1 | 0 |
| 3. Alcohol abuse | -4 | 0 |
| 4. Multiple sex partners | -6 | 0 |
| 5. Living alone | -3 | 0 |
Explanation: On the average, smoking decreases your life span by 4 years and passive smoking by 1 year. If you're living alone you get -3 because no one is there to help you during emergencies. Multiple sex partners will reduce your life span by 6 years because you expose yourself to risk of having STD or HIV diseases. In my computation on this category, I still have 71 years. I live a normal and hassle-free life though I drink frequently but never abused it. I am not living alone, and I DONT SMOKE! This category does affect my life span.
HEALTHY OUTLOOK
| Questions | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Annual physical exam | +3 | -3 |
| 2. Use stress management | +4 | -3 |
| 3. Able to laugh at mistakes | +1 | -3 |
| 4. Religious & practices faith | +2 | 0 |
| 5. Do volunteer work weekly | +2 | -1 |
Explanation: Volunteerism and charity work make you feel happier and thus gave you extra 2 years. Those who know how to handle stress also receive additional 4 years. In my case, I do annual physical exam. I put myself into a vacation if I'm so stress out. I am so careless and I am happy about it. I'm not that religious but I believe in God. And lastly, I seldomly volunteer for work so that gives me -1. So in this category I got 78 years (71+3+4+1+0-1).
RELATIONSHIPS
| Questions | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Own a pet, dog, cat | +2 | 0 |
| 2. All friends same age as you | -2 | +1 |
| 3. Healthy long relationship of trust and respect | +5 | -2 |
| 4. Are you in love? | +7 | 0 |
Explanation: Owning a pet gives you companionship and love. If its a passive pet like fish that you can't talk too, unless if you think that they're talking to you gives you 1 extra year only. Next is, if all your friends are the same age as you, then you get a -2. Why? Because interacting with people younger or older than you broadens your perspective in life and makes you feel young and vibrant. In my computation for this category, I got a big +13. +1 because I have friends younger and older than me and +12 because I am so happy with my partner and so inlove with her. My final score would be 91 when my partner is in good mood. But I'll be down to 79 if we get into frequent fights.
Obviously, this is just a guide, a game with some truth in it. My goal here is to help you improve your lifestyle and add years to your life or reduce some. As they say, "it's when you think about dying that you start a good living." Happy Steeming!
So what's your final score? Give us your thoughts and comment below. If you like this guide, feel free to upvote and to resteem.
Bonus-Tips on How to Live Longer by Dr. Willie T. Ong
"best of time"
Sources
The Philippine Star
www.demko.com