The Secret to Longevity: Five Daily Habits That Shorten Your Life

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Today there are ways increase life expectancy and maintain health even in old age. Proper nutrition, exercise and a positive attitude are just a few components of longevity.

Modern science continues to discover new factors that affect the aging process. According to scientists, simple daily habits are of great importance. 

Slow walking pace

First of all, longevity is affected by physical activity. Scientists have already proven the benefits of regular walking, but few people know that its pace is of great importance. A recent study by the University of Sydney showed that the faster a person walks, the lower the risk of death from all causes.

“A fast pace is usually between five and seven kilometers per hour, but it really depends on the level of physical fitness of the person; an alternative indicator is walking at such a pace that the lungs begin to work more actively, demanding more air,” said the lead author of the study, Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis.

An hour of watching TV

Everyone knows that it is harmful to sit in front of the TV for days, but few people guess that even one hour of such pastime can affect longevity. According to a study published in the “British Journal of Sports Medicine”, an hour of watching TV shortens the lifespan of a person over 20 years old by 22 minutes.

Nail biting habit

< p>In this case, everything is simple – various bacteria that should not be there get into the body. “They can multiply, causing painful paronychia (an infection around the nail bed), panaritium (streptococcal infection of the pad of the finger – very painful), or even more serious infections involving the deeper layers of the skin of the fingers,” said dermatologist Adam Friedman. In some cases, the habit of biting nails can even lead to sepsis.

Neglect of social life

In a seven-year study published in PLOS Medicine, a group of elderly people who maintained social activity and those who gave it up were observed. As a result, it was found that the life expectancy of volunteers with “strong social relations” was 50% higher. The study authors went even further, saying that staying in touch with friends and family may have more longevity benefits than “other well-known measures, such as losing weight.”

Excessive exercise

The right amount of exercise can help keep you young, but as with everything, moderation is important. Intense training pushes the body to the limit, and if you don't give it enough rest, you can do more harm than good.

This is confirmed by numerous studies. One of them showed that excessive physical activity can cause “gastrointestinal syndrome”, and the other found a weakening of the immune system, reproductive dysfunctions, chronic negative energy balance and osteoporosis.