Want to live longer and avoid disease? Dietician and exercise physiologist Caitlin Reid reveals the lifestyle factors that have been proven to add years to your life.
Exercise with enthusiasm
Pushing yourself a bit harder during your exercise session can add four years to your life. Research in 2008 found that people who exercised at a moderate intensity reduced their mortality risk by between 50 to 70 percent when compared to those you exercised at low-intensity.
This risk reduction is attributed to the favourable effects physical activity has on heart health. It lowers blood pressure, increases good cholesterol levels and reduces the incidence of diabetes. Enjoy these health benefits by taking part in moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes daily. Vigorous exercise is also beneficial.
Look on the bright side of life
Optimistic people are less likely to suffer from stress or anxiety and are less likely to get sick. They may also live longer, Mayo Clinic researchers have found. According to the US study, people with a negative outlook have a 19 percent increased risk of early mortality. So, change your thinking and find the silver lining in every cloud.
Get a pet
Having a furry friend can add years to your life. Research published in the Public Health Reports showed that the survival rates of heart attack victims who had a pet were 28 percent higher than those of patients without an animal companion. The life-extending qualities are believed to result from reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol that occur when interacting with a pet. Pets also get us moving.
Keep your marriage alive
Staying married equals a longer, healthier life for you both. According to research published in Social Science and Medicine, found a higher risk of early death in unmarried people compared to people who were married and living with their spouse. The study found that unmarried women have a 50 percent higher rate of early death, while unmarried men are nearly four times more likely to meet an early death. It’s another great reason to appreciate your spouse!
Enjoy the healthy life
According to research from the UK, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, inactivity and not getting enough fruit and vegetables can send you to an early grave, reducing your longevity by 12 years! Fortunately, you can change these unhealthy behaviours. Reap the health benefits by quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake to no more than two standard drinks a day, adding 30 minutes of exercise each day, and enjoying two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables daily.
Your say: What are your tips for a long and happy life?
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