There was a time when walking was a standard medical treatment.
In her book Your Brain on Nature, Dr. Eva Selhub of Harvard Medical School notes that health resorts and “sanitariums” sprang up in newly urbanized America during the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s.[1]
There, doctors would treat patients with long nature walks. They saw walking as an antidote to sedentary city living. … Read More
A major new Harvard study found that you can gain up to 10 years of lifespan, free of cancer, heart problems, and diabetes if you practice five healthy habits.[i]
Researchers released their findings after tracking 111,000 people for up to 34 years.
The scientists found that women can add 10 years of healthy life and men seven.
The life-extending healthy habits are:
Here comes the New Year, with hordes of folks looking for ways to become healthier.
Some of us will resolve to exercise more. Others will go on diets. Or we’ll cut out guilty pleasures like fast food.
Most of us will fail miserably.
One study found that 80% of New Year’s resolutions die by mid-February.[1]
New research shows there’s a better way.… Read More
On the Greek island of Ikaria, a bigger percentage of the residents live past 90 than anywhere else in the world.
Many live well past 100.
That’s why it’s known as the “Island where people forget to die.”
The old folks on Ikaria aren’t frail and feeble. If you visit the island, you’ll see centenarians riding bikes, hiking, and bragging about their love lives.… Read More
What single factor determines how much longer you have to live?
The obvious one is age. After all, if you’re 80, it’s likely you have less time left than someone who is 60.
Genetics are big factor, too. If your parents and grandparents lived long lives, chances are you will, too.
Whether you smoke makes a big difference as well.
But it turns out that there is another longevity factor that is more powerful than any of these. … Read More
Dogs are America’s new children.
Before you dismiss this statement as an exaggeration, consider this: America’s birth rate is now at a 32-year low. Dog ownership is at an all-time high.
There are now more dogs in the U.S. (90 million) than children (74 million).
One of the reasons we love dogs so much is that they make us feel better.… Read More