Everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die. There is no doubt that aging brings challenges. Good news is coming from scientists every year for those who do not want to leave this world quickly. According to the United Nations, Hong Kong has the highest life expectancy in Asia and it is third in the whole world: for men it's 78.7 years and for women it's 84.7. The numbers are improving in Bangladesh like elsewhere in Asia. In Bangladesh life expectancy in 2005 was 65 years, up from 62 years in 2000. Life expectancy is also edging up in India and Pakistan.

Another good news is that quality of life is improving in old age. We are all scared of heart disease, arthritis or osteoporosis or cancer. But scientists have found that lifestyle changes can increase one's chances of living a healthy enjoyable long life. A study (Dept of Community and Family Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong) of nearly 2000 elderly people found that those who did not have a morning walk at least twice a week had a 40 percent higher risk of a fall and we know 90 per cent of hip fractures in the old age are due to fall. This is subsequently complicated by pneumonia and bed sore.

Most of us believe that -- better diet, access to healthcare and exposure to fewer diseases are the main reasons for a healthy and longer life. But a book by Sir Michael Marmot, professor of epidemiology and public health at University College, London, explains some interesting possibilities. According to Michael, two things are very important -- how much control we have over our lives and what role we play in the society. He thinks social status and recognition or awards are very significant but 'money' appears to have very little impact in his study. This also explains why relatively poorer countries in Europe (like Greece or Malta) have higher life expectancy rates than the USA or the UK. He believes "although money is important but it can not buy better health". He considers Japanese people's longer life than Europeans is related to their social consistency. Low crime rate in Japan is also a direct result of the cohesive nature of Japanese society. You are never too old to fight the signs of aging. Antiaging medicine is nothing new but by maintaining a few healthy lifestyles one can live gracefully after 50.Those are.

a) Watch your weight very carefully. One is morbid obesity (50kg more than normal weight) ; the other one is ordinary obesity (20% more than normal). Every day calorie requirements depend upon your daily activities. The distribution of calories you take in should be -- Carbohydrate (40-50%), Fat (20-30%), and Protein (30%) and never forget to keep an eye on vitamins and minerals.

b) Physical activity: Take a look at healthy senior citizens around you -- almost all of them are physically active. Walking is the best exercise for regular aerobic activity -- if one can do it heartily enough.

C) De-stress yourself. Modern life is full of complexities. Eliminating stress entirely is almost impossible. We know that emotions and attitudes are two key determinants. It is better to adjust to and sometimes ignore our changing surroundings; we need to learn and understand four things -- calmness, clear thoughts, self confidence and contentment.