Both lifespan and healthspan focus on the number of years a person lives. However they offer quite different, and distinct perspectives on the quality of that life.
Lifespan measures the years you live, with no consideration of quality of life. The focus is purely on quantity of life. With medical and drug advances people are undoubtedly living longer, even if those years are filled with illness and limitations.
Healthspan, on the other hand, focuses on the period of life spent in good health, free from chronic disease and disability. The focus is on quality of life.
The goal is to close the gap between the two, ensuring that most of our years are lived in good health & happiness, and we are functionally fit.
Improving your healthspan is about incorporating simple practices into your daily life.
* Staying active and maintaining functional fitness has to be top of the list. Not only does a regular movement practise such as yoga significantly reduce the risk of lifestyle diseases, yoga maintains strength and mobility throughout the body, and has the ability to improve mental health too.
* Eating well and adopting a Mediterranean-style diet rich in colourful fruits & vegetables, nuts and other healthy fats can lower your biological age, keeping you younger than your chronological age.
* Intermittent fasting has been shown to promote autophagy, a cellular response to several hours without food, helping your body repair and renew at the cellular level.
* Getting quality sleep is paramount to good health, impacting every system in the body, from metabolic health to cognitive function.
Yoga and Longevity: A Closer Look
While there isn't definitive scientific proof that yoga directly extends lifespan, there's substantial evidence to suggest that a regular yoga practice can significantly improve quality of life and contribute to overall well-being.
Here's how yoga can contribute to a longer and healthier life:
* Stress Reduction: Yoga is renowned for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Chronic stress can have detrimental effects on physical and mental health, leading to conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression. By managing stress through yoga, individuals can improve their overall health and potentially increase their lifespan.
* Improved Cardiovascular Health: Many yoga practices involve physical movements that can strengthen the heart and improve cardiovascular health. Regular yoga can help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
* Enhanced Flexibility and Balance: Yoga can improve flexibility and balance, reducing the risk of falls and injuries, especially as we age. This can help maintain independence and quality of life.
* Weight Management: Yoga can help with weight management by increasing muscle mass and improving metabolism. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for overall health and longevity.
* Improved Mental Health: Yoga has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. A positive mental outlook can contribute to a longer and more fulfilling life.
* Better Sleep: Regular yoga practice can improve sleep quality, which is essential for both physical and mental health. Poor sleep can lead to various health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and depression.
While more research is needed to definitively link yoga to increased lifespan, the numerous health benefits associated with a regular yoga practice make it a valuable tool for improving overall well-being and potentially contributing to a longer, healthier life.
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