ADOPTING A RESCUE DOG ...and other surprising ways to live longer
MICHELE O’CONNOR discovers some unexpected ways to extend your lifespan
HAVE A PURPOSE IN LIFE
The Japanese philosophy of ikigai roughly translates as “the reason you get up in the morning” and could add up to seven years to your life, says explorer, author and longevity expert Dan Buettner. “Science has linked having a purposeful life with longer life expectancy, better sleep and lower rates of chronic illness,” he says.
HAVE REGULAR HOT BATHS
A Japanese study by Ehime University in Matsuyama found that regular hot baths are linked to better heart and circulatory health.
Those who took at least five hot baths a week had lower markers of atherosclerosis (a disease in which plaque builds up in your arteries).
GO TO A GIG
Seeing your favourite band once a fortnight can increase your lifespan by nine years, according to scientific research commissioned by O2. Just 20 minutes of concert-time resulted in a significant
21 per cent increase in feelings of wellbeing.
EAT LIKE AN ITALIAN
A typical Mediterranean diet is great for heart health, reduces the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer – and is ideal for sustainable fat burning and lean muscle gain, say scientists at Sheffield Hallam University.Thanks to its reliance on fresh veg, wholegrains and healthy fats, it has been named the best diet for the second year running.
STAY CLOSE TO FRIENDS
In Okinawa, a Japanese island which is home to more than 1,000 centenarians, residents set up friendship groups called “moai”. The term mean a common purpose”. Studies show that social isolation is associated with several chronic health conditions and increases the chances of premature death.
GET OUTSIDE
Those who enjoy the sun are less likely to die young than shadeseekers, say Swedish researchers who monitored 30,000 women over two decades. Good levels of vitamin D – triggered by sunshine – protect against conditions from diabetes to osteoporosis.
WALK BRISKLY
A fast walking pace is associated with a longer life expectancy regardless of weight, according to data from nearly half a million Brits.
Professor Tom Yates of the University of Leicester, and lead author of the study, says: “Our findings suggest that physical fitness is a better indicator of life expectancy than body mass index (BMI), and that encouraging the population to engage in brisk walking may add years to their lives.”
WALK IF IT’S LESS THAN A MILE
Lack of exercise kills twice as many people as obesity, according to a Cambridge University study of more than 330,000 people. Adding 30 minutes of walking into your day, five days a week, can add three and a half years to your life.
USE FULL-FAT MILK
Researchers from Canada’s McMaster University looked at the diets of 130,000 adults in 21 countries over nine years and found that those who consumed an average of 3.2 servings of full-fat dairy a day also had the lowest rates of mortality, cardiovascular disease and stroke.
EAT AN APPLE A DAY...
and some broccoli, a handful of blueberries, an orange – and drink
a cup of tea.This particular combination provides a range of flavonoids, naturally-occurring health-protecting compounds, say Australian researchers. On analysing the diets of more than 53,000 people over 23 years, they discovered that those who regularly consumed “moderate to high” amounts of flavonoid-rich foods were less likely to die from cancer or heart disease.
BE OPTIMISTIC
Positive people are more likely to live longer, found a study analysing 70,000 women in a Nurses’ Health Study and 1,500 men in a Veterans’ Health Study. On average, the most optimistic men and women had an 11 to 15 per cent longer lifespan and were significantly more likely to live to at least 85.
DON’T BUY ONLINE
Shopping daily reduced mortality rates in elderly people by 27 per cent, found a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community.The benefits are all to do with walking and socialising.
BOOK A BREAK
Taking holidays from work could prolong life, according to a study in The Journal of
Nutrition,
Health & Ageing.
Professor Timo Strandberg, the study’s lead author from the University of Helsinki, says: “Don’t think having an otherwise healthy lifestyle will compensate for working too hard and not taking holidays.”
ADD FRUIT TO BREAKFAST...
and vegetables to lunch and supper. Those eating eight or more portions have around a 22 per cent lower chance of dying from heart disease than someone who eats only three, found a report in the European Heart Journal.
ENJOY GREEN SPACE
Studies show that women living in or near green areas have improved mental health and lower death rates.Whether it’s walking or gardening, you’ll get a triple whammy of activity, vitamin D and de-stressing time.
HAVE SEX MORE OFTEN
Those who had sex less than once a month had double the risk of dying prematurely than those who had sex twice a week, found a Welsh study. Couples with a healthy sex life can look up to seven years younger.
COOK WITH ROSEMARY
Researchers investigating 300 centenarians in an Italian village found rosemary was commonly used in cooking.The pensioners not only lived longer but were free from heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
GRAB SOME STRING
Cut it to your height, fold it in half and wrap it around your middle. Your waist measurement should be less than half your height.Visceral fat sitting around the vital organs increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
ADOPT A RESCUE DOG
Canine companions are associated with longer lives and lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Owners are less stressed and are more active.
SWITCH OFF THE BOX
After the age of 25, every hour of TV you watch could knock 22 minutes off your life, say scientists at the US National Cancer Institute.