The secret to longevity: five daily habits that shorten your life

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Today there are ways to 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, physical activity affects longevity. 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 his 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

A seven-year study published in PLOS Medicine looked at a group of older adults who were socially active and those who were inactive. The results showed that those with “strong social relationships” had a 50% longer lifespan. The study authors went further, stating that staying connected with friends and family may have more longevity benefits than “other well-known interventions, such as weight loss.”

Overtraining

The right amount of exercise can help keep you looking young, but as with anything, it’s important to know how to do it. Intense workouts push your body to its limits, and if you don’t give it enough rest, you can do more harm than good.

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