Which Lifestyle Changes Are Best To Improve Longevity?

A study by Bequests has analyzed the top 10 countries with the highest life expectancy to reveal what health-trends their citizens are searching for in order to improve longevity. The results by country reveal some interesting insights.

The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly shifted our perspective on health. Dealing with a global pandemic whilst trying to balance work, health and happiness has proven a tricky task. The focus has not only been on health but on the importance of socializing.

Could Listening to Music Regularly Boost Your Life Expectancy? 

Everyone wants to know the secret to living a long and happy life, whether that’s eating your 5 a day or making sure you drink water and get an hour’s exercise. To gain a deeper understanding of what could lead to an individual living a longer life, the study analyzed what people were searching for on the internet the most in the countries with the greatest life expectancy. Revealing possible health trends that could be the answer to living longer.

The Most Searched-for Self-Care Trends To Improve Your Life Longevity

It was found listening to music seems to have a profound impact on the lives of individuals living in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and South Korea.

Activities that engage the brain such as completing puzzles and painting were also found as possible reasons behind long life expectancies in Spain, Switzerland, Iceland, and Israel, whereas the Japanese follow an alternative medicine route, with CBD products being their main health trend. Italians take a different, more athletic approach, with yoga being the health trend that helps them keep their youthful looks.

Playing with pets

Playing with pets also looks to have an impact on life expectancy, along with eating a ketogenic diet. General Practitioner Natasha Larmie, who runs the blog www.fatdoctor.co.uk, says: “Good nutrition helps with immunity, brain function and mental health which will in turn help promote life longevity.”

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Natasha went on to discuss how exercise can help improve life’s longevity:

Exercise and life expectancy

“There is absolutely no question that leading a sedentary life is bad for you and exercise greatly improves your health. It does not just benefit your cardiovascular health but also your musculoskeletal system, your immune system, and your mental health. It reduces your risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and depression, to name a few.

It is important to point out that exercise needs to be both enjoyable and practical in order to make it a part of our everyday lives. Committing to working out in a gym for 2 hours a day, five times a week is not always feasible and easy to sustain.”

Study Reveals Following a Nordic Diet Could Increase Your Life Expectancy 

Four of the top 10 countries for life longevity are all Nordic, meaning the majority of their citizens will likely be following a Nordic diet. This diet, as well as being about food, calls for a certain lifestyle that includes relaxed meals with friends and family which use seasonal, locally sourced foods, combined with concern for protecting the environment.

Here are 10 concepts that underpin the Nordic diet: 

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables every day.

2. Eat more whole grains.

3. Include more food from the seas and lakes.

4. Choose high-quality meat – but eat less meat overall.

5. Seek out more food from wild landscapes.

6. Use organic produce whenever possible.

7. Avoid food additives.

8. Base more meals on seasonal produce.

9. Consume more home-cooked food.

10. Produce less waste.

Mediterranean diet

A Mediterranean diet is also said to be one of the healthiest and most fulfilling in the world, which corresponds with the research that shows all the Mediterranean countries are in the top half of the table. Experts have rated this diet the best since 2020, with a health score of 4.8.

Individuals from the Mediterranean tend to eat fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil, and flavorful herbs and spices; fish and seafood at least a couple of times a week; and poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt in moderation, while saving sweets and red meat for special occasions. Red wine is also a feature of the Mediterranean lifestyle, along with lots of activity.

The bottom line

Living longer is not just one behavioral change. It’s a combination of a healthy diet, exercise, and of course a sense of community. These insights correlate with many other studies and confirm that living healthier is possible if you make lifestyle adjustments.

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For more information on the study,  you can find it here: https://bequests.co.uk/life-longevity/