The Most Powerful Way to Live Longer? Ep #307

Who wants to live longer? I know I do! Before you start taking magic pills and seeking the fountain of youth in an effort to increase your life span, Alex Janin from the Wall Street Journal suggests you start exercising.

In this episode of Retirement Starts Today, we’ll explore Alex’s article, What if the Most Powerful Way to Live Longer Is Just Exercise?

Make sure to stick around for the end of the show where Bret and I turn traditional retirement advice on its head as we answer one listener’s question about how to draw down their various retirement accounts.

Listen in to learn the best way to draw down retirement accounts. It may not be the way that you think! Click To Tweet

Outline of This Episode

[2:32] Just exercise more
[5:41] Biohackers have discovered exercise is best
[8:22] Exercise sooner rather than later
[11:16] What is the best way to draw down my accounts in retirement?

Exercise can slow the aging process

While longevity researchers have always sought new ways to slow aging, the most effective solution is also the simplest: exercise more.

Exercise protects the body against age-related diseases and enhances old age. The effects of exercise on stimulating muscle and bone growth help older individuals maintain independence, reduce fatigue, and prevent injuries from falls. Regular exercise can also decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Regular exercise could add 4 years to your life! Click To Tweet

How much should you exercise?

Even biohackers find that exercise is the most essential tool in their arsenal. But you don’t have to go to such lengths to improve your life.

While any level of exercise can help extend a person’s life, federal guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Studies have shown those who exercise this much tend to live an additional 1.8 years, while those who exercise 5-8 hours per week gain an average of 4.2 years.

Identifying what your perfect retirement day will look like may help you to create more of them. Click To Tweet

Start now to increase your longevity

Don’t wait for retirement to begin: start exercising now. Exercise becomes even more important in middle age when muscle mass begins to decline. If you wait until retirement to start exercising you may limit the benefits.

Incorporate physical activity into your lifestyle now to improve your health and fitness in the long term so that you can live an even better retirement.

Envision your perfect day in retirement. Think about the activities that would lead to your perfect retirement day. Would it start with a workout at the gym? A long walk with your significant other? Or participating in a group sport?

While not every day of retirement will be perfect, identifying what your perfect day will look like may help you to create more of them.

Exercise has emerged as the most effective method to combat aging and improve overall health. From enhancing physical capabilities to reducing the risk of age-related diseases, exercise offers a plethora of benefits. It is an essential component of any longevity regimen, helping individuals live longer and more fulfilling lives and promoting cognitive function and well-being.