Longevity hacks for busy people

The fundamentals of healthy ageing are no big secret. Regular exercise, eating well, quality sleep and a robust social life can all help you live better for longer.

- Mohana Ravindranath

But doing these things takes time — and when there is only so much time in the day, it is hard to know where to start.

For one thing, experts say, do not model your habits after longevity influencers, with their elaborate treatment schedules and strict regimens.

People may be overeager to pile many interventions onto themselves and could end up discouraged when they cannot stick to them, said Dr Dudley Lamming, an associate professor of medicine at University of Wisconsin-Madison who studies ageing.

Setting aside just a few minutes a day for healthier habits can be enough to lower your mortality risk, said Dr Sara Espinoza, a director of the Diabetes and Ageing Centre at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.

And although some of the steps most likely to increase your lifespan are neither quick nor easy — for example, quitting smoking or cutting down on alcohol if you are a heavy drinker - small, consistent behavioural changes can also add up, said Dr Linda Ercoli, a geriatric psychologist and interim director of the Longevity Centre at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Experts were asked to share daily habits that seem to impart the biggest longevity benefits and how to determine which will work best for you.

PRIORITISE YOUR ‘WHY’

If you are unsure how to prioritise longevity habits, start by assessing your family history and focus on behaviours that could help reduce the risk of diseases you are predisposed to, Dr Ercoli said. For instance, if you are prone to diabetes, consider modifying your diet and exercise regimen.