2012.05.10
Life isn't about sitting in front of the computer the whole day, but you don't necessarily have to join the gym to live a long and healthy life. Below is a list of everyday activities that has been scientifically proven to add years to your life. The first step is...
Take The Stairs
In 2008, a small Swiss study found that sedentary people who switched from taking escalators and elevators to taking the stairs cut their risk of dying prematurely by 15%.
Cycling Faster
A leisurely ride might leave you less sweaty, but it won't do as much for your lifespan as if you really ride it out. A study of Copenhagen cyclists found that men who pedaled the fastest lived more than five years longer than slower cycling men, and the fastest women cyclists lived almost four years longer.
Go For A Swim
A 2009 analysis of data from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study found that men who swam regularly cut their risk of dying by half compared to sedentary men. Swimmers were also found to have a lower mortality rate than men who walked and ran for their exercise.
Power Walking
A 2011 study found that people who naturally walk at a pace of one meter per second, about 2.25 mph, or faster, lived longer than their slower peers.
Spend 15 Minutes A Day Exercising
A 2011 study found when compared to sedentary people, 15 minutes of daily activity, like brisk walking, added three years to life expectancy. While a proper workout requires a full 30 minutes, a shorter sweat session could be just as good.
Kick It Up A Notch
If you've noticed, intensifying activities like walking and cycling seems to yield more health benefits. Overall, vigorous activities seem to have more life-lengthening powers than nonvigorous activities, according to a 1995 study.
In 2008, a small Swiss study found that sedentary people who switched from taking escalators and elevators to taking the stairs cut their risk of dying prematurely by 15%.
Cycling Faster
A leisurely ride might leave you less sweaty, but it won't do as much for your lifespan as if you really ride it out. A study of Copenhagen cyclists found that men who pedaled the fastest lived more than five years longer than slower cycling men, and the fastest women cyclists lived almost four years longer.
Go For A Swim
A 2009 analysis of data from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study found that men who swam regularly cut their risk of dying by half compared to sedentary men. Swimmers were also found to have a lower mortality rate than men who walked and ran for their exercise.
Power Walking
A 2011 study found that people who naturally walk at a pace of one meter per second, about 2.25 mph, or faster, lived longer than their slower peers.
Spend 15 Minutes A Day Exercising
A 2011 study found when compared to sedentary people, 15 minutes of daily activity, like brisk walking, added three years to life expectancy. While a proper workout requires a full 30 minutes, a shorter sweat session could be just as good.
Kick It Up A Notch
If you've noticed, intensifying activities like walking and cycling seems to yield more health benefits. Overall, vigorous activities seem to have more life-lengthening powers than nonvigorous activities, according to a 1995 study.
