Would you like to live to be 100? Perhaps the more important question is would you like to be healthy and strong and stay physically active and mentally engaged for as long as you live? Women over 60 should be excited that

we are entering a new stage of life (our third act) with the latest advances in medicine, nutrition and personal fitness available to help us achieve these goals. In fact, we now have access to knowledge and research that we can use to make small changes in our lives that can allow us to really enjoy this new stage of life.

As women over 60, we can make changes and implement choices that will allow us to live healthy and active longer lives. Also check out The Age of Happiness community for wonderful examples of women and men over 70 doing the most extraordinary things – from surfing and yoga to marathon racing. Want to know how to live longer? Try these 5 simple suggestions…

Live Japanese Style

Japan has the longest life expectancy for women in the world. The Japanese diet is often credited for this with plenty of fish, seaweed, miso soup, low-fat foods and high-antioxidant green tea. For more information on the health benefits of green tea, check out my interview with Jesse Jacobs, the founder of Samovar Tea Lounge in San Francisco.

Walk for 30 Minutes per Day

Physical activity is important at any stage of life, but especially as we get older. The human body was simply not meant to sit in a chair or on a couch all day and night – so let’s get out and get moving! This informative and entertaining video from Dr. Mike Evans, a specialist in preventative medicine, explains why walking (or other physical activity) for just 30 minutes per day can be one of the most important ways to make a dramatic impact in improving our health.

Stay Relaxed

Stress kills. People in Spain have the longest life expectancy in Europe (according to this article), and also report having the lowest levels of anxiety. If we can get better at managing your daily stress, avoiding anger, and having a more relaxing lifestyle, it is more likely will enjoy more years of healthy and happy life.

Explore New Passions

It is important to not be a spectator in your own life as you get older, Panos Mourdoukoutas writes in Forbes. He advises not get too settled into comfortable routines or to be afraid of trying new things and exploring new pursuits. He writes about a Japanese poet, a woman named Toyo Shibata, who recently died at age 101, having started writing poetry for the first time at age 92. Perhaps this willingness to explore a new passion in life and stay engaged mentally is part of the reason she lived past 100.

Laugh a Lot

According to a study from the University of Maryland mentioned in this article, 15 minutes of laughter per day can improve blood flow to the heart by up to 50%, making it easier to avoid heart disease.

Do you have any people in your family who have lived to be 80 or older? What did their experience tell you about how to live longer? Please join the discussion.

Watch this video for 6 more healthy lifestyle tips for women over 60.