25 ways to live longer

Never smoke again
The earlier you give up the better. Because the damage caused by smoking is cumulative, the longer a person smokes the greater the risk of developing a smoking-related disease, such as lung cancer, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Some 120,000 deaths a year are attributable to smoking, says anti-smoking lobby group, Ash.

Get on with your mother
A study by the Harvard Medical School found that 91 per cent of people who weren't close to their mothers developed a serious disease - high blood pressure, alcoholism and heart disease - by midlife. Only 45 per cent of participants who said they had close relationships with their mothers developed these serious illnesses.

Keep taking exams
The more qualifications you have, the higher your life expectancy, according to research at the University of Arkansas. The less well-educated are more likely to smoke, which increases the risk of heart disease and cancer, and they are more likely to work in jobs with a high risk of injury, say the researchers.

Examine your breasts
Get to know how your breasts normally feel and look, and report any changes, such as a lump, dimpling, unusual pain or discharge to your GP. The best time to do it is a week after your period. Remember that over nine out of ten lumps are benign, and many breast cancers are curable if they're caught early enough.

Have regular smears
You'll usually be called once every three or five years for a smear test, but if you've moved house you may slip through the net, so make sure your GP has your latest address. Cervical screening probably prevents 2,500 deaths a year in the UK, says The Institute of Public Health.

Enjoy chocolate
Research from the Harvard School of Public Health found that people who eat a moderate amount of chocolate live longer than those who eat sweets three or more times a week, and those who never touch sweets. Chocolate contains chemicals called phenols, which are thought to protect against heart disease and cancer.

Find God
Going to church increases life expectancy, according to a study in the International Journal for Psychiatry and Medicine. It's particularly good at helping people's stress and emotional problems, and seems to protect against diseases such as heart, respiratory or digestive problems.