From the age of 40, some creeps up a queasy feeling: the youth behind them, the age in front of them – how will the coming years run? Will you stay healthy and fit? Will the smaller and larger lifestyle sins take revenge? The good news: It is still worth changing your habits in the middle of life and thus significantly increasing life expectancy. Up to 24 additional years of life are possible – this shows a large American study from 2023. From which changes you benefit even at advanced age, explains that Health magazine “Pharmacies Umschau”.
Smoking: Anyone who stops quickly feels positive changes. After just a few hours, the carbon monoxide concentration in the blood drops, the body becomes again better supplied with oxygen. After about two to twelve weeks, the lung function improves, and blood circulation in the arms and legs also improves. In the long term it shows Use of the smoke stop Particularly clear: Anyone who stays smoke -free for more than three years wins an average of around five years of life. If it is ten years or more without smoking, you can get a life expectancy that is close to the non -smokers.
More movement: Anyone who is active regularly wins on average 4.6 additional years of lifeaccording to the result of the mentioned US study. 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week recommends that World Health Organization (WHO). Good to know: movement has nothing to do with competitive sports. It is often enough to Everyday life more active To design: on foot or by bike to work, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Gardening is also effective, trains strength and endurance and at the same time stimulates the senses and the mind.
Stress reduction: A walk is not only good for the body, but also the head. Blood pressure drops, you breathe more oxygen a. And above all, you manage to let your thoughts wander and come to rest. But against stress also helps Conscious doing nothing. Just look out the window for five to ten minutes, that can be enough. Yoga or meditation also help you switch off.
Good sleep: With less stress, the nights are also more relaxing. In fact, people live regularly Seven to nine hours a night Sleep, on average almost two years longer than people who sleep permanently. The body recovers while sleeping. Become at the same time Waste materials broken downthat accumulate in the cells during the day.
Healthy eating: Here the positive effect is most impressive. An international study from 2025, published in the journal Nature Medicine, shows that people who change their diet in the middle of life can in the best case live up to ten years longer. The magic formula: more vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts, but largely processed food and red meat.
This message is only available for publication with the source. The health magazine “Pharmacies Umschau” 8b/2025 is currently also available in Austria in most pharmacies. There are many other interesting health news https://www.apotheken-umschau.de as well as on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.