{"id":17721,"date":"2025-08-19T11:00:05","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T15:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/?p=17721"},"modified":"2026-04-28T11:05:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T16:05:32","slug":"harvard-scientists-say-this-10-minute-daily-habit-could-lead-to-a-longer-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/okdiario.com\/metabolic\/en\/nutrition\/harvard-scientists-say-this-10-minute-daily-habit-could-lead-to-a-longer-life-17721\/","title":{"rendered":"Harvard scientists say this 10-minute daily habit could lead to a longer life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Living longer<\/strong> doesn\u2019t always require drastic lifestyle overhauls. Sometimes, small adjustments can make a meaningful difference<\/strong>. Scientists at Harvard have identified one everyday habit that could be key to longevity<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 and it only requires a few extra minutes out of your day.<\/p>\n

Their findings, published in JAMA Internal Medicine<\/a><\/strong>, are based on data from thousands of people across the United States. While the results don\u2019t prove a direct cause-and-effect link, they add to a growing body of evidence pointing toward a straightforward way to boost your health and potentially your lifespan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What simple habit could help you live longer?<\/h2>\n

The researchers found that adding just 10 more minutes of movement per day<\/strong> could have a significant impact on longevity. Using data from 4,840 participants in the ongoing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey<\/a><\/strong>, they examined activity levels in adults aged 40 to 85. Each participant wore an activity monitor for one week, and researchers tracked their average daily movement.<\/p>\n

The participants were divided into groups based on how much they moved on average each day. Over the following 10 years, the researchers monitored mortality rates. They then created \u201cwhat-if\u201d scenarios to see how increasing daily activity might influence the results.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The projections were striking: adding 10 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each day<\/strong> \u2014 such as brisk walking or similar movement \u2014 could reduce annual deaths by 7%<\/strong>. Increasing daily activity by 20 minutes was associated with a 13% reduction, and 30 minutes with a 17% reduction.<\/p>\n

While the study was observational \u2014 showing only a link, not proof that the activity causes a longer life \u2014 its findings match decades of research connecting moderate exercise to better health.<\/strong><\/p>\n

How to incorporate those extra minutes<\/h2>\n

The key takeaway is that the movement doesn\u2019t have to be intense or complicated<\/strong>. The study used brisk walking as an example, but it could also be cycling at a comfortable pace, swimming, dancing, or doing active chores around the house. The goal is to raise your heart rate moderately \u2014 enough to feel like you\u2019re working, but still able to hold a conversation.<\/p>\n