Small daily lifestyle changes linked to longer life in two studies

Independent.co reports two new studies that identify small, achievable lifestyle changes linked to reduced mortality and longer lifespan.

The first study, published in The Lancet, found that an extra five minutes of brisk walking a day could reduce deaths by 6 per cent among the least active people and by 10 per cent in the general population, and that cutting sedentary time by 30 minutes a day was associated with a 4.5 per cent decrease in deaths across adults.

A separate study in eClinicalMedicine found that people with optimal sleep, activity and diet lived 9.35 years longer than those with the poorest habits, and its researchers estimated that modest combined improvements — five minutes more sleep, two extra minutes of activity and half a portion of vegetables — could add about one year to the lifespan of those with the unhealthiest lifestyles.

Both studies present estimated effects from small changes, suggesting measurable population-level benefits, while the precise impact for any individual will depend on their circumstances.

Key Topics

Health, Brisk Walking, Sedentary Time, Physical Activity, Sleep, Diet