By manipulating the genes of a worm, Cynthia Kenyon was able to increase its lifespan — 

By TEN TIMES.

Aside: I love this Louis CK routine on what it's like to get older.

How you feel right now is a half decent way to determine whether you'll die in the next 30 years.

Aging is inevitable. But when you "get old" can vary dramatically.

After age 40, your chronological age is actually a poor predictor of how "old" you are.

The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, a massive effort that tracked 3,000 people from their 20s to their 90s, concluded that people age at such vastly different rates that by the time they reach 80 or 90, the differences are so marked that birth dates are entirely irrelevant. In fact, there seems to be widespread agreement that after age 35 or 40, the date on your birth certificate is one of the least accurate indications of how old you are. Yes: Every day you get older. But the pace at which you grow older varies enormously. We don't have control over the former. We do have far more control than we think over the latter. [Counterclockwise: My Year of Hypnosis, Hormones, Dark Chocolate, and Other Adventures in the World of Anti-aging]

Those trying to improve their happiness are advised to do the following things:

1. Watch less TV

2. Improve social relations — spend time with friends

3. Increase levels of physical activity — go for a long walk

4. Help others and express gratitude to those who have helped you

5. Take on new challenges to remain fresh and in-the-moment

Laugh a lot. Be happy. Be optimistic. Have lots of good sex. Get enough sleep. Stay out of debt.Forgive.