How to Close the Gap Between the Life Expectancy of Women & Men

Typically and historically women live longer than men. That is the perk of being female. However, the life expectancy gap between males and females is beginning to close because of a number of factors. Men are become more health-conscious and taking steps to protect their health. For men, life expectancy at birth has increased by about 28 years in the last century, while for women it has increased about 32 years. Women's life expectancy continues to increase but not at the rate of men's.

Instructions

Men Are Living Longer

• 1

  Visit your doctor regularly and don't wait for a medical crisis. This is preventive medicine and it keeps men healthier longer. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure, through medication, diet and exercise prolongs men's lives.

• 2

  Shun smoking. This is another reason that men are living longer and the life expectancy gap is closing. Men are giving up cigarettes.

• 3

  Exercise regularly. Exercise along with eating more healthily are two more reasons that men are living longer.

• 4

  Relax. Men now have less work- and financial-related stress because they are now sharing the role of breadwinner with women, which eliminates some of the health problems they had when they were the sole support of the family.

Additional Considerations

• 5

  Take better care of your teeth and gums to prevent bacterial infections that can affect the bloodstream and the heart. Going to the dentist regularly is another reason that men are living longer.

• 6

  Get more sleep. Men generally sleep deeply 40 minutes less than women. Sleep is restorative and repairs growth hormones. Getting proper amounts of sleep is helping to close the gap between male and female longevity.

• 7

  Learn to relax, engage in meditation, yoga and make other positive lifestyle choices. This is no longer the exclusive domain of women. Men are making wise choices, too, which is benefiting their health.