Living to 100 is no longer a pie-in-the-sky fantasy. There are more people living that long and longer today than at any time in recorded history—and those statistics improve on a daily basis. 

In the March 9, 2008 edition of Parade, Dr. Mark Liponis offers informative tips to increase your odds of reaching the century mark. Some are easier than others to apply to your life, but the more of them you can incorporate, the greater your odds of reaching your goal.

The easier ones include: (1) eat a Mediterranean diet “rich in colorful fruits and vegetables, olive oil, fish and whole grains with few processed, packaged or refined foods;” (2) read the newspaper, which keeps you connected, your brain functioning, and “increases your sense of purpose;” (3) drink four cups daily of green, black or oolong tea, moderate amounts of wine [up to 5 ounces for women, 10 for men], and moderate amounts of coffee; (4) keep slim; (5) have faith in a greater power—religious or spiritual. 

Remaining tips are a bit more conditional on your lifestyle choices: (1) be married, since you are 58% more likely to live longer than never-marrieds and 27% more likely than those who are divorced or separated; (2) have kids, and, if you’re a woman, have one or two after 40 if you can manage it, as it quadruples your chances of living to 100; (3) live in the country instead of the city.