Climbing the stairs could bring about a lift in fitness

Celeb gardener Diarmuid’s top tips ..even a bath among the ferns

FIT FOR LIFE: Using stairs leads to a longer life

TAKING the stairs rather than a lift leads to a longer life, according to a new study.

Researchers found that climbing stairs was associated with a 24 per cent reduced risk of dying from any cause and a 39 per cent lower likelihood of dying from a heart attack or stroke.

Study author Dr Sophie Paddock said: “If you have the choice of taking the stairs or the lift, go for the stairs as it will help your heart.

“Even brief bursts of physical activity have beneficial health impacts, and short bouts of stair climbing should be an achievable target to integrate into daily routines.”

She said cardiovascular disease is largely preventable through actions such as exercise.

But more than one in four adults worldwide do not meet recommended levels of physical activity.

Form

Dr Paddock says taking the stairs is a “practical and easily accessible” form of physical exercise which is often overlooked.

The study investigated whether climbing stairs, as a form of physical activity, could play a role in reducing the risks of cardiovascular disease and premature death.

The research team collected the best available evidence on the topic. Studies were included regardless of the number of flights of stairs and the speed of climbing.

A total of nine studies, involving more than 480,000 participants in the final analysis. The study population included both healthy participants and those with a previous history of heart attack or peripheral arterial disease. Ages ranged from 35 to 84 years old and 53 per cent of participants were women.

Compared with not climbing stairs, stair climbing was associated with a 24 per cent reduced risk of dying from any cause.

CELEBRITY gardener Diarmuid Gavin says since the pandemic, Ireland has embraced backyards and gardens as an extra “room” in the house.

The award-winning garden designer says we’re full of creative ideas, from bathtubs out back to illuminated plants to using indoor furniture, outside.

Gavin - appearing this weekend at the PTSB Ideal Home Show - told The Star: “You don’t need a big space or lots of money.

“Just a little imagination and you can do great things.”

The garden guru and TV star said: “Don’t be afraid of using indoor furniture outside.

“We had a couch out last weekend.

“Also get things second-hand in salvage yards. You can get incredible things there.” Diarmuid is installing a second-hand bath in his garden.

Fill

It’s easier than a hot tub, and you’re surrounded by nature.

“A bathtub underneath some ferns, surrounded by plants, is great.”

There’s no need for plumbing, just fill it from a hose going from the bathroom to the garden. If you place it over a drain, you can let the plug out and the water will go down there.

Lighting is also a trend.

“Last week, I replanted some plants and I under-lit them. It was an incredible transformation.

He also advises re-thinking stuff you already have in the house.

“Use stuff you already have, if you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space - even just a small bit.

Get some fairy lights, bamboos, you can make a reflective feature out of a galvanised dustbin lid.”

Even in the best of Summers in Ireland, it will get chilly, so Diarmuid says keep it simple.