9 Surprising Habits That Can Extend Your Life

The final film in the “Avatar” saga is set to hit theaters in 2023. Some people are seriously wondering if they will live to see the premiere! Fortunately, not all researchers focus on proving the harm of objects and phenomena around us; some are looking for ways to improve our bodies and extend our lives.

Having Children

All parents automatically gain some extra points. Do you think children take up a significant part of your life? Paradoxically, they actually extend it. Researchers have found that mothers live 1.5 years longer than their childless peers. Studies also suggest that your children will be able to take care of you, which will positively impact your quality of life. Every time you hear your nieces and nephews scream because they can’t watch their favorite cartoon, remind yourself that it’s extending your sister’s life.

Playing Tennis

It’s no surprise that moderate physical activity improves health, but did you know that certain types of exercise can radically change the picture? The British Journal of Sports Medicine studied 80,000 athletes and divided them into categories. It turned out that tennis players have a 47% lower mortality rate than the average person. Swimmers have a 28% lower rate, and aerobics enthusiasts have a 27% lower rate. However, runners showed no difference from non-athletes. It’s unfair, but perhaps it’s time to pick up a racket.

Living in Japan

The country that still leads in terms of the healthiest and longest-living nation is Japan. Part of the secret lies in the traditional Japanese diet of fresh vegetables and fish. Another important factor is the high-quality healthcare system, which allows for timely detection and treatment of problems such as high blood pressure. It’s also important that even elderly Japanese people continue to live active lives.

Professor Sarah Harper of Oxford University says that the longevity of the Japanese also lies in society, which promotes the creation of strong families. In Japan, elderly people are respected and genuinely cared for. It’s a great reason to start instilling these values in your children now.

Reading

Is there anything better than snuggling up among a pile of blankets and pillows with a warm cup of coffee and a great book on a Saturday morning? Next time you find the time, allow yourself to relax with a good book. Don’t scold yourself for having many things to do. You’re busy extending your life! Yale University studies have found that avid readers have a 20% lower mortality rate. It’s also important to note that reading magazines or online news did not yield such results. Only books, only hardcore.

Living Near a Forest

People living in the greenest areas have a 12% lower mortality rate than city dwellers. Not only is this beneficial from an environmental standpoint, but it also improves mood. If you live near a park, you have more opportunities for workouts and meetings with friends in the fresh air. But you don’t have to drop everything and look for a place to live near a park. Add some green plants to your window.

Higher Education

It’s time to dust off your diploma from the shelf. According to PLOS ONE researchers, refusing to get a higher education can harm you, comparable only to years of smoking! Education gives you more opportunities and control over your life. University develops social skills, provides access to data, and improves the ability to understand information. People with higher education have more abilities to manage complex situations and often have higher incomes.

Eating Spicy Chili Peppers

Rejoice, lovers of spicy food! PLOS ONE has confirmed that a preference for food containing chili peppers reduces the mortality rate by 13%. The reason is not yet clear, but there are several theories: first, spicy foods help with weight loss and generally reduce food consumption. Second, when you eat something very spicy, you do it more slowly, which leads to better digestion.

Drinking Coffee

Good news for Starbucks fans. A study by the British Medical Journal, covering 400,000 people aged 50 to 81, found that the more coffee you drink, the lower the risk of death from heart disease, colds, stroke, or diabetes. This doesn’t mean that scientists are giving the green light to caffeine consumption. It’s important to be moderate. Let’s limit ourselves to one morning cup while waiting for new discoveries.

Having Friends on Facebook or VK

It sounds like a joke, but if you maintain your social network page to keep healthy and positive relationships with friends, you get many benefits. Scientifically, both new friend requests and sent GIFs stimulate you! However, simple text messages do not affect the indicators. Now you understand why stickers have become so popular? Surprisingly, people with few friends die more often. So don’t worry that you’re spending time on what someone calls nonsense. They probably have only 5 mutual friends who don’t know how to send GIFs with llamas.