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Australian researchers have revealed what an “optimal” day should look like to live longer. Analysis.
Eating healthy, exercising, sleeping well, cultivating a rich social circle… Even if they do not guarantee escaping the hazards of life, these methods have proven to help you live longer. A new study published in the journal Diabetology However, it is not so much the content of your days that is important, but the way in which you organize them. Here is the “ideal” rhythm to follow, according to the team of researchers.
A perfectly optimized day
Aging well is a question of environment, but also of state of mind. According to a study conducted by Swinburn University with the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, it would be enough to better divide up your days to live longer.
To arrive at this theory, the research teams looked at the lifestyle habits of 2,388 women and men, aged 40 to 75.
They then measured and analyzed various parameters, comparing them to each person’s daily habits.
Using this data, scientists were able to establish the profile of an ideal day for aging better.
In other words, it would be necessary to:
- Get 8 hours and 20 minutes of sleep in a 24-hour day;
- Sit for 6 hours (maximum);
- Stand for 5 hours 10 minutes (maximum);
- Do 2 hours 10 minutes of light to moderate physical activity (cleaning, preparing dinner, etc.)
- Practice 2 hours 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (fast walking, gym training, etc.)
As for sleep, “It can be detrimental to health if it replaces exercise time, but beneficial if it replaces a sedentary behavior” says Dr. Christian Brakenridge, the study’s lead author. Before adding: “Time use should be realistic and balanced“.
Doing your best every day
Of course, this organization is an ideal to strive for, but it is not always possible to sit very little or to do sports every day. The work variable must be taken into account in particular… and a sedentary lifestyle too.
It would be “utopian” to want to eliminate it, believes Doctor Christian Brakenridge.
Rather, sedentary lifestyles should be regulated, balancing periods of inactivity with physical activities.
For example, after spending several hours in front of your computer, get up and walk around your office or living room. These short breaks, even if brief, allow you to regain energy, improve your concentration and restart blood circulation.
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