Turns out there’s a simple thing you can do to push back the visit from the Grim Reaper.
Well, depends on your definition of simple. Because it’s running.
As a follow-up to a 2014 study that found just five minutes of running per day was associated with a longer life span, the same researchers compared their data with results from other recent studies to answer questions they’d received from colleagues and runners.
In addition to confirming their original conclusions, the scientists’ the new results indicate “running may be the single most effective exercise to increase life expectancy,” the New York Times reported.
No matter if they drink, smoke or are overweight, runners live about three years longer than nonrunners, according to the research. What makes the finding even more notable is there was no other type of exercise that “showed comparable impacts on life span.”
There are lots of theories as to why runners are more equipped for the long haul (lower blood pressure, less extra body fat, higher aerobic fitness level) than their non-running contemporaries, but why running is “so uniquely potent against early mortality” is “uncertain.”
Regardless of the reason, just do it.
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