Sitting on floor may support healthy aging

LAHORE – Health experts say that if you want to live up to 100 years, you should adopt some important habits that most people tend to overlook. A study published last week claimed that the maximum possible human lifespan could reach 194 years.

Scientists at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Moscow say that if researchers can discover a way to limit cell death associated with aging, the human body may be able to function healthily for a longer period.

Lifestyle factors cannot stop the natural biological aging process but they can help protect the body’s cells from premature death. The result may be not only a longer life but also a healthier and more active one.

According to Dr. Claire Neyland, a general practitioner associated with the Preventive Healthcare Clinic (HOOQE), the real goal of longevity is not simply to add more years to life but to maintain a healthy and fulfilling life during old age.

Dr. Neyland says planning for a long and healthy life should not begin at the age of 50 or 60. It is never too early to prepare for the future. By adopting healthy habits today, people can lay the foundation for a healthier, happier and more fulfilling life as they grow older.

She said that eating a balanced diet, getting adequate sleep and exercising regularly are not the only things that matter. There are also some lesser-known but highly important daily habits that adults of all ages should incorporate into their routines.

She explained that people generally spend most of their time sitting on chairs rather than on the floor. Sitting on the floor may help strengthen the lower body while also improving flexibility and balance.

Moving from a sitting position on the floor to standing is a simple movement but it can quietly indicate whether the body is aging in a healthy way. On average, a person spends around 10 hours sitting each day which can have negative effects on the thigh bones, hip joints and pelvic-floor muscles.

Sitting on the floor and getting back up requires leg strength, hip flexibility, balance and physical coordination. If these abilities are not regularly used, they can gradually weaken with age.

People who maintain these abilities generally remain more independent and have a lower risk of falling. Falls are among the major causes of hospitalization and even death among older adults.

According to Dr. Neyland, this habit can easily be incorporated into everyday life. For example, people can sit on the floor while watching television, play with children on the floor or do stretching exercises while sitting on the floor.

If it is safe, they can also practise standing up without using their hands for support. Even performing this exercise a few times a day may help maintain mobility, flexibility and agility as the body ages.