Longevity is influenced by several factors, including lifestyle; exposure to stress; diet; use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco; activity levels; and sociability.
While some of these factors are out of our control, others are entirely in our hands.
A 93-year-old who has “aged gracefully” spoke on TikTok about how he has reached this impressive milestone and what keeps him healthy as he moves through his 90s.
In conversation with Yair (known as @yairbrachiyahu on the sharing platform), he answered the question, “What is your secret to looking so great at 93?”.
‘The biggest thing is exercise – you have to have something you do’
TikTok / @yairbrachiyahu
The nonagenarian credited habits such as walking, reading and watching TV for keeping him young.
“The biggest thing is exercise,” he said, “you have to have something you do”.
The NHS provides important guidelines on physical activity for older adults, including what counts as light, moderate and vigorous activity, and activities that promote strength. Exercise is crucial for developing your strength, balance and flexibility as you age.
Goals for over 65s
- Be physically active every day, even if it’s just light activity
- Do activities that improve strength, balance and flexibility at least two days per week
- Do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity if you are already active, or a combination of both
- Reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity
Sharing specific guidance for older adults, one doctor named the two essential skills to develop now for longevity – as “it could save your life”.
But before starting an exercise routine, it’s important to consult your GP who can advise you on the most appropriate action to take.
As for reading and watching TV, experts weighed in on whether these can boost longevity.
An article entitled ‘A Chapter a Day – Association of Book Reading with Longevity’, published in the National Library of Medicine, confirmed that reading is an excellent habit to develop for a longer life.
In a study of 3,635 participants, book readers experienced a 20 per cent reduction in risk of mortality over 12 years of follow-up compared to non-book readers.
Indeed, experts found that the “benefits of reading books include a longer life in which to read them”.
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Over 65s should be physically active every day, even if it’s just light activity
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Regarding regular TV viewing, while this does have benefits including cognitive stimulation and access to information, prolonged watching can lend itself to a sedentary lifestyle, which has obvious negative health effects.
Indeed, an article published in the National Library of Medicine entitled ‘Impact of changes in television viewing time and physical activity on longevity: a prospective cohort study’, warned that “prolonged television viewing time was associated with greater mortality in older adults”.
To minimise this, elderly people or their carers should implement a strict TV viewing schedule and a time limit on TV viewing.
If you have any concerns regarding longevity or other health issues, it is always best to consult your GP, as they can provide tailored advice.
