Sad and Old: It Ain't So

We may lose our hair, not hear as well, and get more wrinkles -- but we'll have big smiles on our faces.

It turns out that growing older isn't such a drag. Time and time again, 70-year-olds report higher levels of happiness than 30-year-olds. Are you happy?

Better with Age

Why might older adults be happier? It could be that the kind of maturity that can only come with age allows people to keep an emotional even keel. Or that with advancing years, we simply become more skilled at coping with our circumstances -- even those that are life changing. Whatever the reason, it's good news for our health.

RealAge Benefit: Long-term, loving relationships can make your RealAge as much as 6.5 years younger.

A Friendly Fat

Olive oil isn't only a boon to heart health. New research shows it may have other powers, too.

Oleic acid -- a healthy monounsaturated fat found in olive oil -- may help disarm a gene that prompts breast cancer cells to grow and divide, a recent study revealed. Add this health-friendly fat to your diet by sautéing veggies and other foods in olive oil instead of butter. Choose an olive oil-based dressing for salads, too.

Monounsaturated fats, such as those found in olive oil, nuts, and avocados, are credited with boosting heart and artery health by increasing HDL (good) cholesterol and decreasing LDL (bad) cholesterol. Now, a new study provides evidence that oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that is the main component of olive oil, may inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer, specifically breast cancer. In the study, oleic acid was found to inhibit the overactive Her-2 gene that stimulates growth and division of certain kinds of breast cancer cells. To keep your olive oil in tip-top condition, store it away from light and heat that can cause the oil to oxidize and turn rancid. Buy olive oil in opaque bottles to help protect it from light. Decant a small amount of olive oil into a bottle for everyday use and store the rest in a cool, dark, dry environment. For a new twist, infuse olive oil with your favorite herbs by putting a sprig of thyme or rosemary in the bottle.

RealAge Benefit: Eating a low-fat diet--and eating healthful unsaturated fats when you do eat fat--can make your RealAge as much as 6 years younger.

The No-Workout Workout:

Heel raises - Muscles worked: gastrocnemius, or gastroc (calves)

Aim for 4 minutes

Starting point: Standing, legs straight, feet one inch apart. Action: Slowly rise up onto the balls of your feet, lifting your heels off the ground as high as you can, and then slowly lower your heels back to the ground. Complete 1 set of 10-12 reps. Tip: Keep your legs straight but don't lock your knees.

If you make it a habit of slipping these 7 exercises into your daily routine, you may begin to notice improvements in your strength and endurance after only a few weeks. For a total of 30 minutes!

And don't forget to complement your RealAge No-Workout Workout by mixing in more moderate to vigorous activities—such as walking, swimming, biking, or jogging—whenever you can.

RealAge Benefit: Exercising regularly can make your RealAge as much as 9 years younger.

To learn more please visit www.RealAge.com

Reprinted with permission by RealAge, Inc. Copyright (c) 2005. All rights reserved. For an accurate calculation of your RealAge, visit www.RealAge.com. All rights reserved. RealAge is a U.S. federally registered trademark of RealAge, Inc. Republication or redistribution of RealAge content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of RealAge. RealAge shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. RealAge, Inc. is a consumer-health media company and  provider of personalized health information and management tools. These tools  motivate health-conscious people like you to look, feel, and actually be many  years younger—to Live Life to the Youngest®. RealAge has been featured on  national radio and television programs including 20/20, Good Morning  America, the Today show, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. RealAge  promises to help you improve your health with personalized Grow Younger®  strategies. To grow younger is to live healthier for longer. e promise to  provide you with the best medical and health information and to do it in a  way that is personal, relevant, and meaningful.