Scientists Uncover A Simple Daily Activity That Can Add Over 10 Years To Your Life

A new study has highlighted just how impactful one simple habit can be in extending your lifespan. The findings suggest it could add as much as five years to your life—and in some cases, even more.

As the colder months of Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, it's tempting to stay cozy indoors, enjoy a string of movies, and avoid too much physical effort. But if you’ve been waiting for a reason to get moving, this could be it.

The study reveals that a daily activity, so straightforward that you don’t even need to leave your house, has the potential to add five to ten years to your life. Intrigued? Let’s dive into the details.

The activity may not get rid of your wrinkles but could add years onto your life Getty Stock Images/ Jasmin Merdan

The study

The research used a life table of the 2019 American population, based on mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics in 2017. It was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine and focused on how different levels of physical activity influence life expectancy.

Participants in the study, all aged 40 or older, wore hip-worn accelerometers—devices similar to today’s smartwatches—for at least 10 hours over four or more days to track their physical activity levels.

The findings noted: "Average physical activity levels by age (40 - 49.9, …, 80+ years) were applied to the US Statistics Bureau's 2019 American population data to estimate the benefits of an hour of walking, a common and typical physical activity behaviour."

So, what does walking for just an hour each day actually mean when it comes to boosting your life expectancy?

The study looked at how daily walking can impact your lifespan Getty Stock Images/ Oscar Wong

The results

The study revealed that, in 2017, the average life expectancy in the United States was 78.6 years. If all Americans aged 40 and older were only as active as the least active 25 percent of the population, life expectancy would decrease by 5.8 years.

On the other hand, if everyone aged 40 and up were as active as the top 25 percent, life expectancy would increase to 83.7 years, adding an extra 5.3 years to the average lifespan.

And here’s the kicker—if you were to walk for 160 minutes a day, your life expectancy could rise by as much as 10.9 years. That’s a substantial boost for a relatively small effort.

The study also found that: "Each additional single hour of physical activity would prolong life by an average of 169.1 min."

Walking for an hour each day could extend your life expectancy by five to 10 years Getty Stock Images/ The Good Brigade

The benefits

Dr. Lennert Veerman, a professor of public health at Griffith University in Australia and the study’s senior author, shared with CNN that he was surprised by the findings. He noted that the loss of life years in the United States due to low physical activity levels might rival the impact of smoking and high blood pressure.

The World Health Organization emphasizes: "Regular physical activity provides significant physical and mental health benefits."

They also explain: "In adults, physical activity contributes to prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, enhances brain health, and can improve overall well-being."

And when it comes to younger people, the World Health Organization highlights: "In children and adolescents, physical activity promotes bone health, encourages healthy growth and development of muscle, and improves motor and cognitive development."

So, there you have it. We’re not telling you to sprint marathons or hit the gym every day—just a little more walking could make a world of difference.