Do These 3 Things And You’ll Live Longer

Want to live longer? Studies show that running and biking can help you live a longer life.

Want to live longer? Studies show that running and biking can help you live a longer life.

Wouldn’t it be nice to take a dip into the fountain of youth? One of the biggest motivations of medical progress is shrinking the mortality rate, i.e. help people live longer lives. Well, according to new research, literally taking a dip might actually help you live a longer and healthier life.

Swimming, along with running, biking, and some other sports, has been proven to lower mortality rates as well as increase the health of participants.

Live Longer With Swimming

Swimming has become the top rated form of exercise with the most health benefits, including living a longer life. In a recent study, European researchers found that those who swam on a regular basis lowered their risk of a premature death by 28%. Furthermore, other studies have shown that swimmers were 50% less likely to die a younger age than both walkers and runners.

Swimming is one the best and most intense full-body workouts, and it’s low-impact, which means it’s good for just about anyone to do. Furthermore, you don’t have to do it for a lengthy period of time to reap the benefits. People who spent only 20 minutes at least 3 times a week swimming increased their fitness levels and overall health substantially.

Biking Lowers Health Risks

While decreasing mortality rates, biking also lowers many health risks. Recent studies have shown that those people who biked to work on a regular basis or did cycling as an exercise lowered their risk of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, it’s also linked to lower cancer rates. Like swimming, biking is low impact, which means there’s a lower risk for pain and injury than other high impact sports such as running, basketball, and football.

Runners Have Longer Lifespans

There are some studies that are showing that running doesn’t necessarily lower mortality rates. However, a new study released this year found the opposite – runners were indeed living longer lives. In fact, runners were living up to three years longer than non-runners. According to the study, runners reduced their rate of a premature rated by 25-40%. Furthermore, just running as little as five minutes a day offered the benefit of a longer lifespan, the researchers found.

Exercise = Overall Health Benefits

Regardless of what type of exercise you’d like to do, you really can’t go wrong with the health benefits physical activity gives you. Even racquetball sports were found to have a 47% lower risk of dying a premature death than those who didn’t exercise at all or those who played other sports. The point is to get up and move as much as you can and as often as you can with safety and intentionality.

Want to live a longer life? Go for a short run or longer walk; hit the pool; or play tennis with a friend.