As only a few days are left to welcome 2018  and as the new year comes near many people make promises and resolutions to themselves on the New Year day. Truth is, making resolutions and making promises on the New Year day has been a tradition in many parts of the world. Losing weight, healthy lifestyle, getting organized, spending less money and more time with family, are some of the most common New Year resolutions that top the list. While these aims need a lot of work and willpower, abiding by your New Year pledging to begin a new healthy lifestyle can definitely help you build for a long, fit, happy life.

The researchers identified nine key factors to longevity:

- Strong and regular physical activity while undertaking daily duties. These people do not live a settled lifestyle.

-Loss of stress, which can include taking the time-out for daily habits such as taking a nap in Mediterranean societies, praying or conducting a tea ceremony in Japan.

- "Hara hachi bu" - a Confucian teaching that suggests we only eat until we are 80 percent full.

- Having an "ikigai" - a Japanese word used to define the "reasons for being" and why we wake up every morning.

- Prioritising a diet that is rich in plant-based products. Meat, fish and dairy products are eaten in only lower amounts.

- Moderate consumption of alcoholic drinks.

-Being part of social groups that promote healthy habits.

- Interacting with religious communities.

- Building and maintaining solid relationships with family.

Wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year 2018!