9 Secrets to Longevity

Sure, diet and exercise keep you healthy. And yes, smiling will extend your life. But the secrets of aging aren't all so straightforward. Here are 9 unusual ways to live longer, courtesy of "The Week:"

1. Make friends - Researchers at Brigham Young University and the University of North Carolina found that people with poor social networks (aka few friends) are 50 percent more likely to die sooner than those with "robust social ties." Having a large social circle, says the study, can make as much difference to your life expectancy as a life without smoking cigarettes.

2. Win a Nobel prize - Researchers found that Nobel prize winners lived 1.4 years longer than nominees who didn't win. Walking across that platform in Stockholm apparently adds about two years to a scientist's life-span. If you're unlikely to attract recognition from the Nobel community, then don't worry - the study suggests that social status can influence longevity, so just make sure people think highly of you.

3. Take the pill - Women who take the pill for an average of four years reduce their risk of dying from illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. But the study looked at women who started taking the pill in the 1960s, meaning the results may not be applicable for women taking today's drugs.

4. Move to a Greek island - Specifically, the Greek island of Icaria, where almost one in three people lives into their 90s. Researchers studying the islanders concluded that the Icarians' active lifestyle and healthy Mediterranean diets (lots of fruits, vegetables, and olive oil) helped the island maintain the highest percentage of nonagenarians on the planet.

5. Live through a recession - It may give scant relief to those struggling to find work during the current downturn, but a University of Washington study suggests that recessions in the 20th century led to declines in mortality. Unemployed people were more likely to give up expensive vices like smoking and drinking and less likely to die from work-related injuries or car accidents.

6. Put on a bit of weight... - Researchers at Kaiser Permanente followed over 11,000 adults over 12 years and found that those who were slightly overweight were 17 percent less likely to die during the 12-year study. It may be that a few extra pounds actually protect older people as their health declines.

7. ...in one place in particular - Women with large rear ends are less likely to suffer heart and metabolic diseases than non-curvy ladies, says a study by Oxford University. That's apparently because fat stored in this area absorbs harmful fatty acids.

8. Learn a foreign language - Learning a foreign tongue can help stave off Alzheimer's and other common age-related diseases. You don't have to master it, but just the act of learning something new is like "running different software through the brain."

9. Work near ornamental plants - Waxy-leaved plants like English ivy and ferns soak up harmful indoor air pollutants, reducing stress levels and increasing overall health, says a study by the University of Georgia. The healthiest ornamental plant to have in your cubicle is the purple heart plant, which can be bought online for as little as $4.