6 Tips To Live Longer

An Australian study of 8800 people over six years found those who spent four hours or more watching TV each day had a 46% higher chance of dying and were 80% more likely to die of heart disease than those watching two hours or less per day.

An American study showed people who were sedentary found it harder to lose weight even when taking in the same amount of calories. Small incidental movement (not formal exercise) like taking the stairs had a significant effect.

The human body is designed to be active. Until fairly recent times this was not optional. Today we have so many labor saving devices that most of the “incidental” movement and exercise we got even one generation ago is gone.

Thirty years ago you needed to get out of the car to open your garage door and, dare I say it, get up off the couch to change the TV channel.

The answer to prolonged inactivity is fairly simple. Here are some simple ideas to incorporate into your life.

1.  Take the stairs instead of the escalator or lift.
2.  Park in the furthest rather than nearest spot at the mall.
3. When working at your computer get up and wander around for a minute every 30 minutes.
4. Limit your TV time to two hours per day maximum. Get up and wander around the room during the ads. Get up to change channel.
5. Do some housework each day. Chores like ironing, hanging out the washing, even cutting vegetables are being “active.”
6. See what you can do standing instead of sitting. The simple act of standing uses muscles that sitting doesn’t.