Seniors
Related: About this forumThis one thing may derail your shot at healthy aging, scientists say
https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2024-06-14/this-one-thing-may-derail-your-shot-at-healthy-aging-scientists-sayBefore you settle in to binge the new season of The Bear or watch Team USA go for the gold at the Paris Olympics, think twice about the amount of time you spend on the couch in front of the TV. Your future self may thank you.
A new study by Harvard researchers links the popular pastime of sitting and watching television to the likelihood of reaching ones senior years in a state of good health: the more time spent doing the former, the lower the odds of achieving the latter.
The problem doesnt seem to be with sitting in general. After controlling for a variety of risk factors such as diet quality and smoking history, the researchers found no relationship between time spent in a chair at work and the chances of aging well. Ditto for sitting in cars or at home doing something besides watching TV, such as reading, eating meals or paying bills.
Yet for every additional two hours spent in front of the boob tube, a persons chance of meeting the researchers definition of healthy aging declined by 12%, according to their study published this week in JAMA Network Open.
question everything
(49,102 posts)Demovictory9
(33,988 posts)question everything
(49,102 posts)working. Whether starting at a screen - actively - makes a difference.
ProudMNDemocrat
(19,175 posts)Here is my secret....
1. Eat healthy in smaller portions of lean protein, healthy fats like Extra Virgin Olive Oil, some nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables, at least 80 ounces of water daily.
2. Skin care regimen of daily cleansing, moisturizing, and protection.
3. Getting at least a 3 mile walk in 5 to 6 days a week.
4. Getting to the local gym 3 to 4 days a week to build up muscle.
5. No smoking.
6. Alcohol in moderation.
7. Vitamin supplements to replace lost nutrients.
8. At a minimum, 7 hours of sleep.
9. Minimize time in the sun.
10. Stretch
This is the lifestyle I have had for close to 50 years. Was I always faithful to it? Not always.
But my Grandmother died at 57 from Congestive Heart failure. She said something to me that I have taken to heart since 1974..."You can have a beautiful home, lots of money in the bank, lots of friends, be surrounded by material things. But if you don't have your health, you have NOTHING!"
AT 72 now, I can count my lucky stars that I have my health. It has been expensive, but so worth it.
2naSalit
(93,529 posts)I do walk and am pretty active physically but I don't go to gyms or "work out". I don't have any major issues that I take meds for... got a nasty case of arthritis and a ton of little problems. I guess time will tell.
Demovictory9
(33,988 posts)Me..I sure can
usonian
(14,651 posts)They don't support your back properly and encourage slouching (same for other living room chairs)
Most other chairs actually help you sit upright, though feebly at times.
Even the piano bench and computer chair seem to be better, though arguably, you need to sit upright to actually do anything.
(So avoid the ipad in the easy chair life, as well)
🧘♀️
2naSalit
(93,529 posts)Straight back chairs and a big rocking chair, I use a table to hold my computer. I get up often.
No teevee, just my laptop and a stereo.
usonian
(14,651 posts)There's so much to see and do less that gizmo.
2naSalit
(93,529 posts)Last edited Fri Jun 14, 2024, 02:27 PM - Edit history (1)
To feed you info of whatever kind, requires no actual independent cognitive function other than whatever it takes to sit there and absorb.
At least computers make you perform tasks that require some form of cognition.
usonian
(14,651 posts)Lets me process my (great) photographs without distraction, and (sigh) wash the dishes as well.
Two caveats:
I resist the urge to throw dishes when there's another STRIKE THREE LOOKING, and
Baseball on the radio helps me sleep shortly after the game (if not during the game).
Not your "ldeal Family"
2naSalit
(93,529 posts)That my stereo plays a lot of NPR because there's no yelling and they play classical music which I like to listen to when doing other things. Radio has always been my go to. My mom was a radio listener, teevee was for evening entertainment. I guess that's probably the one holdover I retain from my parents.
usonian
(14,651 posts)And its very weak. I have gone over to Internet radio, via browser or apps, but its not as easy as flipping a switch, of course.
Favs are KUSC/KDFC, WBJC, WDAV (Davidson), WQXR (several channels, including the Operavore channel) and so on.
KUSC has Lara Downes program from 8 to 12p pacific, weeknights, with an immense variety of classical, and WDAV has Concierto now and then. These are great musical and educational experiences.
Music keeps me young!
If I hear something really good, Ill often go over to the piano and try to play it. Results vary, but the effort is really good for mind and spirit.
2naSalit
(93,529 posts)It seems. The NPR station that covers my half of the state, Yellowstone Public Radio (YPR) now has a 24 hr Classical broadcast also available online. I'm impressed, Idaho doesn't have that. In Idaho the church owns everything so there's a lot of church on the radio, I was lucky I could get the SLC station where I was at the time.
Radio out here in the sticks is getting better, still better than free teevee, gets 2 channels, sometimes more, sometimes none.
usonian
(14,651 posts)Cell coverage in the foothills has its gaps, and everything's a distraction. I always forget to pop in a CD or hook up the ancient ipod nano. CD's will melt in the CA central valley (sodas will explode in the heat or when they freeze up here in winter).
My first electronic kit was a Lafayette Explor-Air tube set. The latest is a Sangean that I got at the thrift store (like everything else).
Threw in the towel when I finally swapped out cellular internet for (drum roll) DSL.
But it's always on. I don't do videos. Same reason as I gave above. Hate having to sit still for long periods.
I'm a man of action. (world's best water pistol! )
Easterncedar
(3,653 posts)At 12% loss for each two hours, seems like the weekends I spent bingeing Happy Valley and Russian Doll should have kilt me dead by now.
marybourg
(13,215 posts)watched more than an hour or two of tv a year.
Easterncedar
(3,653 posts)Was a headline I once read. Since I figured we all have a 100% risk of mortality, a coffee hound like myself was never going to die.
Irish_Dem
(59,744 posts)Easterncedar
(3,653 posts)Irish_Dem
(59,744 posts)Irish_Dem
(59,744 posts)Not the mere sitting. You can sit, but keep your brain active by reading, paying bills, writing, etc.
Irish_Dem
(59,744 posts)Most of us are not passively reading here.
We are learning, absorbing new information, discussing, arguing, defending our views,
changing our views, making comments and OPs.
We answer and ask questions, post new material, share our expertise on a wide
variety of topics.
All of this is helping our brains, creating new neural pathways, which makes up live longer and age well.