Want more birthdays ahead? Go outside.
That’s the conclusion of a recent study that looked at the daily habits of more than 3,000 adults between ages 70 to 90, over a 25-year period. Researchers divided the subjects into three groups, based on how often they left their homes: daily, 2 to 5 times per week, and less than once per week.
When mortality was assessed in the later years of the study, researchers found that those who went outside every day were at the lowest risk of death, while those who rarely left home had the highest mortality risk.
This finding was consistent even when factoring in health issues like diabetes, heart disease, visual impairment and impaired mobility, notes lead study author Dr Jeremy Jacobs.
“Resilient individuals remain engaged, irrespective of their physical limitations,” he says, adding that the improved survival was observed among people with low levels of activity. That means you don’t need to go for a jog—you could even just sit outside to experience benefits.
Although the exact reasons behind the findings weren’t included in this study, previous research has found that people who spend more time outdoors may have lower stress levels and better mental health, which can both drive longevity.
“Throughout history, even introverted artists and writers had daily routines that got them out of the lab or studio,” says author Alex Soojung-Kim Pang.
In addition to the obvious physical health benefits of going outside and being less sedentary, getting some fresh air, particularly in nature, can improve mood and emotional balance, says Pang.
Also, the recent study highlighted that people who go outside more often tend to have stronger social connections, which Pang says has been proven to guard against cognitive decline and lower the risk of depression and anxiety.
Says Pang: “Simply put, getting outside daily is essential for maintaining good physical and mental health.”
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