While the warmer temps and higher humidity may have you longing for a lazy summer, taking on a new hobby could support your health long after the mercury drops. Whether you’re looking to head outdoors for a workout or prefer a more passive past time, here are four longevity-boosting habits to try this summer.
Whether you’re a singles or doubles player and clocking that cardio workout, tennis also can add years to your life. According to the Copenhagen City Heart Study that followed 8,500 people over 25 years, those who played recreational tennis regularly lived nearly 10 years longer. Another study published in the International Journal of Exercise Study showed that those who played tennis at least twice a week were less likely to develop obesity and had overall better heart health.
Your body isn’t the only one to score; your mind wins as well. Since it takes (at least) two to tennis, the social component boosts mental health, helping to alleviate stress and reduce anxiety and depression. During the game, all that strategizing, decision-making, and problem-solving gives your brain a workout too.
Building a brighter backyard helps brain health too. A University of Edinburgh study found that gardeners had better cognitive ability such as memory, word fluency, and problem-solving skills later in life.
Plus, simply being outside surrounded by nature has been shown to boost your mood and calm anxiety. So even if you aren’t gifted with a green thumb, you can still reap the benefits anyway.
Recent studies show that playing mahjong reduces depressive symptoms and cognitive decline. Players, especially older adults, also have better hand-eye coordination, memory, and attention – all of which help to build your set. Expect a mood boost, too. Players tend to be less stressed and enjoy stronger social connections.
But you don’t have to be a pro to benefit. Bird watching promotes feelings of well-being and lower stress, according to a North Carolina State study. And, naturally, being outside delivers a flock full of benefits, including lower blood pressure, better creativity, and improved sleep.
Tennis
If Wimbledon and the U.S. Open give you the tennis bug, take advantage and pick up your racquet. The sport offers a seemingly endless amount of benefits for your physical, emotional, and mental health.Whether you’re a singles or doubles player and clocking that cardio workout, tennis also can add years to your life. According to the Copenhagen City Heart Study that followed 8,500 people over 25 years, those who played recreational tennis regularly lived nearly 10 years longer. Another study published in the International Journal of Exercise Study showed that those who played tennis at least twice a week were less likely to develop obesity and had overall better heart health.
Your body isn’t the only one to score; your mind wins as well. Since it takes (at least) two to tennis, the social component boosts mental health, helping to alleviate stress and reduce anxiety and depression. During the game, all that strategizing, decision-making, and problem-solving gives your brain a workout too.
Gardening
Is your yard looking a bit neglected? Head outside to the garden to help your plants and yourself. As you’re weeding, carrying bags of soil, and digging, you’re getting a moderate cardiovascular and strength workout for the whole body – perfect for hitting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.Building a brighter backyard helps brain health too. A University of Edinburgh study found that gardeners had better cognitive ability such as memory, word fluency, and problem-solving skills later in life.
Plus, simply being outside surrounded by nature has been shown to boost your mood and calm anxiety. So even if you aren’t gifted with a green thumb, you can still reap the benefits anyway.
Mahjong
Move over, Scrabble. The hottest – and perhaps healthiest – tile game is mahjong. Each game of mahjong, which has roots in China but has spawned countless versions worldwide, requires four players and a set of marked tiles, with the goal being to collect a specific combination. Besides that, you’ll need focus and a good memory that add up to a brain game worth trying.Recent studies show that playing mahjong reduces depressive symptoms and cognitive decline. Players, especially older adults, also have better hand-eye coordination, memory, and attention – all of which help to build your set. Expect a mood boost, too. Players tend to be less stressed and enjoy stronger social connections.
Bird Watching
This one’s for the birders. Acquainting yourself with the sky’s flying friends may be a great way to improve cognitive skills, slow aging, and even alter your brain for the better. A Canadian study published in JNeurosci, the Journal of Neuroscience showed that the areas of the brain that control attention and perception were stronger in expert birders than novices.But you don’t have to be a pro to benefit. Bird watching promotes feelings of well-being and lower stress, according to a North Carolina State study. And, naturally, being outside delivers a flock full of benefits, including lower blood pressure, better creativity, and improved sleep.
