An Obvious Secret to Longevity That Most People Overlook

"“Longevity” is the flexible term that can either mean just “lifespan” or both lifespan and healthspan-years spent in good health. The internet is flooded with articles that claim to tell you how to increase your longevity. And why not? Most of us want to live longer, especially if we can still possess the vitality of our younger years. In addition, research tells us that getting older brings with it a happiness bonus-a fact so amazing to me that I wrote a whole book about it."

"Most articles on longevity emphasize the healthy habits you should be practicing or the unhealthy habits that you must change if you want to live longer and better. Of course, your genes might account for as much as half of your lifespan. And Lady Luck also plays a role. But there is one secret to longevity that most writers on the subject (myself included) tend to overlook, and this factor is also critical for healthy longevity. I will reveal this secret below."

"Exercise. The gold standard, according to the World Health Organization, is 150 minutes per week of mild to moderate exercise, such as 20 to 30 minutes of walking five days a week. But any amount of exercise or physical activity-even just a few minutes per day-will increase your life expectancy, your energy, your mental health, and your health in general. Staying active helps, too, so get up and move around every hour or so."

Longevity can mean simple lifespan or both lifespan and healthspan, the years lived in good health. Healthy habits including regular exercise, social connections, and other lifestyle behaviors strongly influence longer, healthier lives. Genetics can account for up to half of lifespan, and chance events also affect outcomes. A commonly overlooked but critical factor is the physical environment: clean air, safe water, and reliable clean energy support healthy longevity. The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes per week of mild to moderate exercise, yet any activity and frequent movement increase life expectancy, energy, and mental health.

Read at Psychology Today