To live a long life, prioritizing a healthy and active lifestyle is key. According to the Stanford Center on Longevity, the five lifestyle pillars that help increase longevity and quality of life are:
- Fitness
- Stress management
- Sleep
- Social relationships
- Nutrition
It’s important to keep our minds and bodies active in order to support these five pillars. Here are a couple of exercises that can help support longevity and keep you feeling young even in your golden years.
Walking
Research has shown that even just 10 minutes of walking per day may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and is great for increasing your energy and mood. To start incorporating walking into your routine, try starting with a 10-minute walk in the morning to get you energized or a 10-minute walk in the evening to wind down. Once you feel comfortable, strive to get longer walks in. Always make sure you wear a supportive pair of workout shoes to decrease the risk of injury and discomfort.
Yoga
Yoga is great for seniors as it helps improve physical function and balance, helping to reduce the risk of falls and injuries. This multicomponent activity is gentle on the joints and is great for strengthening the mind-body connection. Start small with a 10-minute flow that focuses on deep breathing and relaxation, then up the intensity as you feel comfortable.
To find out more exercises as well as habits to adopt that support a long and healthy life, check out the infographic below.


