Have you discovered the route to the century mark?

Yesterday Dr. William Hall of the University of Rochester released his theory on living to 100 in the Archives of Internal Medicine. He believes doctors are now aggressively treating health problems, regardless of age, making it easier for more of us to reach 100.

I have another theory.

Travel

I know, I'm biased, but stepping out of our lives for a few weeks a year may be the best medicine. Think about it. What's the one common denominator of illness that kill, like heart disease and cancer?

Stress.

If you can walk away from stress for 2, 3 or 4 solid Road Trip Meweeks a year - no cell phone, no email, no pager - you're giving yourself much more than a chance to play. You're giving your mind and body a chance to heal yourself. And you're giving disease a smaller foothold to climb all over you.

Of course, midnight trips to the buffet and 3 margaritas before noon may not be the best way to combat future illness. But I'm betting the crease between your brows will smooth out and you'll balance those buffet trips with a few good hikes or some playing in the waves.

Want to know how you're dealing with the everyday stresses of life? Check out the Life Expectancy Calculator - I scored a sweet 97.

Even so, I'm not giving up on my chance to escape and play every chance I get.

Take the test and then book your vacation. You've earned it.

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