Nat Locke: why walking, drinking coffee, laughing with besties and being a nerd are all good for a long life

West Australian

6 days ago

Some of my favourite sorts of news articles are those that are reporting on people who have celebrated an impressively huge birthday, because inevitably, they ask them one universal question: what is the secret to a long life?
This week, that question was answered by a delightful 103-year-old lady who attributed her longevity to being proactive about her health and looking after others. This is a very wholesome response, and genuinely good advice for those of us who might want to live an equally long life.
But don't we all prefer the people who answer that question with something like 'I drink a can of Swan Gold and eat a vanilla slice every day?'
We're just always looking for the cheat code, aren't we?
In case you're wondering how you can live a life long enough to be newsworthy, I've done some research for you (you're welcome).
A quick google revealed that there's a bunch of strategies that can help you live longer. Some of them are pretty obvious, like not smoking and limiting your alcohol. Some would suggest there's not much point extending your life if you can't partake in a cheeky G&T from time to time, and then those same people point out that the Queen Mother made it to 101 and she famously loved a drink. Royal insiders described her intake as 'steady but not excessive' but she would have her first drink before lunch every day and it was gin and Dubonnet, which is a kind of fortified wine. She then had red wine with lunch and a martini at six, before champagne with dinner. Every day. And I repeat: she lived until she was A HUNDRED AND ONE.
Exercise is also important, and a Griffith University study found that if you're over 40 and in the least active 25 per cent of the population, an hour spent walking can add six hours to your life. I didn't pay a lot of attention in maths class, but I think that means if you start walking for four hours a day, you can live forever. The university study didn't say that explicitly, by the way. I've drawn my own conclusions.
Google also told me that drinking coffee or tea is beneficial to a long life, because it helps to lower the risk of several chronic diseases including Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's. But you can't drink more than four cups of coffee. However — and hear me out — if you did, you'd have enough energy to walk four hours a day.
Logically, the next strategy is to get a good night's sleep. Yes, after all that coffee. Hopefully all that walking has tired you out. Sleeping less than 5-7 hours, or more than 8-9 hours is linked to a shorter lifespan. It's also recommended that you go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day. It's safe to say I'm screwed. Breakfast radio hours and a natural propensity to stay up late are not doing me any favours in this department. And on the weekend, I definitely do not continue to get up at four in the morning. My sleep patterns are all over the shop. I guess I'm going to have to walk for six hours a day now.
Being happy is also another key strategy. Studies have found that you can live 18 per cent longer if you are happy. I'm not sure how this works if you become happier by drinking eight glasses of rosé a day, but I think we've learned this isn't necessarily a logical process.
Related to happiness, you also need to avoid stress and nurture your social circle. I guess that means we'll have to start a walking group together, because I don't think I've got any hours left in the day. But whenever you get together and have a good old belly laugh with your mates, you can totally understand why it's beneficial to both your physical and mental health. There is nothing quite so restorative as a good old session with your bestie. Also, you need to nurture those social circles if you're all going to live to 100, or else it's going to be a lonely old existence.
And finally — and slightly weirdly — researchers found that more conscientious people live longer. A study followed 1500 boys and girls into old age and found that the ones who were observed to be more conscientious lived 11 per cent longer. Those little nerds. And I say that with love, because if you asked any of my primary school teachers, they probably would have said I was conscientious. Realistically, I was probably just bright and eager to please, because the conscientiousness has not followed me into my adult years.
So there you have it. Just follow my simple steps (and by 'my' I mean 'Google's') and live a long, bountiful life.
Or start getting sauced at 11am like the Queen Mother and live to 101. You choose.