New research shows that behaviour in middle age can provide clues about how long someone will live. Scientists followed fish throughout their entire lives and discovered that those who remained active and slept at night often lived longer. Fish that earlier on became less active and slept irregularly had a shorter lifespan.
What was striking was that the ageing process did not happen gradually, but in leaps between different phases. This means that getting older is not a continuous decline, but that there are clear transitions in how the body functions. These insights can also be important for people, as they show that daily behaviour in midlife says something about the ageing process.
Exercise and a regular sleep routine are therefore not only good for how you feel in the short term, but also appear to play a role in staying healthy for longer. This aligns with tips for healthy ageing, where staying active and getting a good night's sleep are always emphasised. The research encourages paying extra attention to your lifestyle in middle age.
By better understanding how small changes in behaviour relate to old age, new ways may be found to support healthy ageing. This is good news for anyone who wants to know what they can do now for a longer life in good health.
Source: Original article
