Whether conquering mountains or more modest aspirations, make your second half count.
LIVE WELL Prescription to party
● When was the last time you threw a party? Taking time to gather for a chat, dance and laugh is great for wellbeing, says a new study by Indiana University researchers. After surveying thousands of people over several years, they found that celebrating milestones (from securing a new job to moving into a new home) with food, drink and perhaps even a couple of balloons boosts confidence and creates a sense of belonging. These are both associated with increased lifespan, robust mental health, reduced heart rate and blood pressure, better sleep, and other positive health outcomes.
EAT WELL Take heart
● Pop the kettle on! A study supported by The Heart Foundation has shown that elderly women who drink black tea daily have a reduced risk of heart disease and memory loss. This is thanks to tea’s flavonoid content, say researchers. If we’re not keen on a cuppa, these longevity-boosting compounds are also found in nuts, berries, red wine and good-quality dark chocolate.
AGE WELL Walk this way
● A new study found that older adults who took at least 4,500 steps a day had a 77% lower risk of cardiovascular events than those who took fewer than 2,000 steps a day. What’s more, they found that every additional 500 steps a day were associated with a 14% lower risk of stroke or heart attack.
AGE WELL Full of beans
● Why do some wake full of energy, while others crawl out of bed? Our habits might play a role, according to new research from the University of California. The winning formula for wide-awake mornings, they say, is exercising the day before, sleeping longer and later into the morning, and eating a breakfast containing complex carbohydrates. Others, like Liz, find early starts and a protein-only meal works for them.
EAT WELL Stand tall
● Including more vitamin K in our diet might help to strengthen our bones and prevent fractures, according to a new study published in Food & Function. Researchers found that women eating more than 100mcg of vitamin K every day were 31% less likely to have a fracture (particularly a hip fracture) when compared to those eating less than 60mcg. We can hit our 100mcg target by eating one to two servings of foods such as leafy greens, broccoli, lettuce, asparagus, kiwi or Brussels sprouts.
AGE WELL Night, night!
● The Twinings 2023 Sleep Census has shown that 50% of Brits aren’t getting their seven to eight hours sleep, and a further 25% are getting fewer than five hours. Staying up too late watchi
