Longevity is influenced by many different factors, from genetics to lifestyle, and in this article we will take a closer look at one of the factors that appears to have an impact on our lifespan. We will discuss the influence of sexual life on different areas of our lives and consider other areas of focus for those who wish to live a long and happy life.
Important factors for longevity
The key to longevity is a complex puzzle that every generation tries to solve. For a long time, the average life expectancy of people was a mere 30 years, while even in the relatively recent 1900s, the average global age was only 31-32. However, as the availability and quality of medical services and hygiene began to improve, and knowledge about how to follow a healthy lifestyle proliferated, life expectancy began to increase rapidly. The global average age was around 72 in 2019-2020, and even reached 85 in China.
However, what determines how long we live? Scientists have been trying to answer this question by studying both the genetics and habits of those who exceed the average. For example, people living on the Italian island of Sardinia are renowned for their longevity, with the inhabitants of several villages significantly beating all Italian (and European) averages. Scientists have discovered that in the relatively isolated villages, distant relatives carrying the genetic marker M26 often marry and have children, thus ensuring the marker does not go outside the village and allowing them to achieve impressive age records. In addition to genetic elements, lifestyle factors and the decisions we make every day also influence our lifespan. These include the following:
- Maintaining an active lifestyle
- Having goals (especially as you get older)
- Focusing on mental health
- Following a plant-based diet and the 80 % rule
- Maintaining close family and social relations
The daily choices listed above shall be discussed in greater detail below however we would first like to discuss one of the factors that can affect several of the aspects named above. Various studies have shown that our sex lives influence many areas of our lives and can therefore be associated with longevity. However, it should be remembered that each person is different, so what is of great importance to one person may have little or no significance to another.
How sexuality affects our daily lives
The relationship between longevity and sexuality is complex and there is no single piece of advice that will allow you to extend your life by 5 or 10 years. However, it is interesting to consider the findings of researchers who have studied this area. It turns out that an active sex life can be associated with positive effects on several different areas of our lives:
- Social aspect. This is probably the first and most obvious advantage. Having a regular relationship and a partner means not only having an active sex life but also simply maintaining a simple human connection. It can be difficult to find like-minded people and make acquaintances, especially in older years. After retirement, the circle of friends often shrinks due to the loss of professional relationships. Moreover, the older a person is, the more friends (especially those you have been in touch with since childhood) die or are unable to meet due to poor health. Therefore, the ability (and desire) to find your significant other can have a positive impact on your life. The meta-analysis published in 2010 by Dr Holt-Lunstad suggests that social factors, including sexual relationships, have a positive influence on longevity.
- Mental health. Mental health is influenced by many factors. One of them is interpersonal relations and having someone to lean on in difficult times. People who have experienced the greatest adversity in life often say that it was their loved ones – friends, relatives and colleagues – who helped them recover. Relationships can be both platonic and romantic. In 2001, Dr Kiecolt-Glaser and Dr Newton published results of a study which claims that being in an emotional relationship with a partner is associated with better mental health. Dr Hui Liu and Yan Zhang published an article in 2020 describing the results of their research where they assessed the sexual life and mental health of more than 1,000 couples aged 57-85. The authors claim that a high-quality sex life in older age is also related to better mental health.
- Physical impact on our health. In addition to psychological and social benefits, sex life, even in old age, affects our physical well-being. An interesting study published by J. Frappier et al. compared the intensity of breathing and the number of calories burned while running on a treadmill and during sexual intercourse. In the conclusion of the article, the authors say that sex can be considered physical exercise.
What else can we do if we want to live longer?
Our sex lives are only one of the factors affecting the quality and length of our life. If you are wondering what else could help you live longer, we will tell you what is most often associated with longevity, what you should do every day and what habits you should adopt in order to live healthier and longer. Whether you are 60 or still in your 30s, it is never too late to change your habits and live a healthier life!
- Active lifestyle. Daily physical activity has a positive effect on your health. This is probably nothing new to you but it is true that there are a few things you should know when thinking about whether you are getting enough exercise. For example, if you have a sedentary job, you should be active not only in the evening (after work), but also try to find time to get up from your desk and take at least a little walk during the day. Perhaps you could use the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Perhaps you could go to a cafe which is a bit further away to have lunch or, if you eat at work, perhaps there is still time to go for a walk for at least 20-30 minutes after eating. It should also be remembered that a 3-hour hike on Saturday does not make up for the fact that you sat in the office all week and travelled only from work to home. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends doing at least 150-300 minutes (a minimum of 2.5 hours) of active sports per week. Another option is an extremely active 75-150 minutes. The WHO recommends exercising in at least 30-minute intervals to keep your heart rate elevated for a longer period of time. Intense activity does not have to be just the gym or exercise as doing housework, gardening, weeding, planting flowers, etc. can also increase your heart rate (and benefit your cardiovascular system and heart). 150-300 minutes is not difficult to achieve if you go to work by foot every day or go for a walk after work. A dog, a walking companion or a new hobby can make you more active, which, by the way, can be useful in other ways as well.
- Having goals (especially as you get older). Younger people often have various goals starting with finishing their studies and moving up the career ladder. Some choose to raise children; others want to travel, while there is also the desire to buy the first home, etc. However, goals can decrease significantly, especially in older years and even more so in retirement, since any children will be already grown up and home ownership has probably been achieved. What else is there to do? It turns out that figuring out what to do can be very important. Various activities can help you keep up with current affairs, creating an opportunity to chat and make new friends. Being able to take care of your grandchildren (feeling needed) and being in a group of like-minded people, such as a book or pottery club can be good for your health. Even small goals can give you a sense of happiness and fulfilment, particularly if they help you feel you are truly needed.
- Mental health. Often this is just the ability to relax and rest. The pace of life is extremely fast nowadays. We receive a huge stream of information daily: from advertisements in the city, to a pile of emails at work, and even more information when we get home (movies, books, YouTube videos, etc.). Therefore, taking care of your mental health, being able to relax and slowing down the pace of your life can be very important. If there is a unpleasant event, loss or disaster in your life, seeking professional help can be worthwhile. Unfortunately, the fast pace of life often dictates its own rules, meaning there is often no time left to process your feelings and come to terms with losses. With a specialist, you can find a safe space where you can better understand your feelings, acknowledge losses and joys and look at life more positively.
- A plant-based diet and the 80 % rule. Naturally, the researchers studying longevity also looked at the topic of nutrition, which often depends on our culture and family: where we were born, how we grew up and how our parents taught us to eat. For example, in the previously mentioned island of Sardinia, the majority of the regular diet is plant-based, and meat, fish, and chicken make up a mere few percent (5 %). Another interesting example can be found in the diet of Costa Ricans with long life expectancy which is more than 50 % vegetarian. In the town of Nicoya, people live in generational groups, giving each other a lot of help and creating strong social bonds, however, they also eat less meat than the rest of the population, which is not characterized by such a long life. The followers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church living in Loma Linda, California have created a rather closed community with a life expectancy which is also significantly longer than that of other Californians. Representatives of the Church do not eat meat, do not drink alcohol and exercise regularly. Unsurprisingly, being overweight plays a significant role in the development of various chronic diseases, so a healthy diet and weight management can be important factors when it comes to longevity. Many long-livers say they follow the ‘80 % rule’, which means getting up from the table when you are only 80 % full, thus preventing overeating and becoming overweight even in old age. Food supplements are another important aspect to consider since they can help ensure you get the necessary amount of nutrients every day.
- Family and social relations. We have already discussed the importance of social relations several times so here we would just like to emphasize that communication and social relations are one of the key aspects that determine longevity. Although not everyone can or wants to start a family or have children, it does not mean that they are doomed to a short life. Social relations can be created and maintained in a variety of ways. Even if you are far away from one friend, you can always find new ones and meet new people by going to dance evenings, lectures in the library or museum events. Choose something that interests you and do not be afraid to strike up a conversation with others – this is how long-term friendships are sometimes born! In addition, you can always volunteer, thus allowing you not only to contribute to the welfare of society but also communicate with people and feel needed.
Live a long and happy life
There is no single proven way to ensure longevity however, each of us makes small choices every day which affect our lifespan: what we eat for breakfast, whether we watch a TV show at lunch, whether we go for a walk or exercise in the evening, whether we go on a romantic date or just stay in front of the TV. This is why it is important to make daily decisions that are good for your health and well-being whether it consists of a walk outside, supplements for your health or a hot date! As we have seen, sex life is really important for longevity and has a positive effect on several aspects of our life: physical health, mental state, and creating and maintaining social relations.
We hope you found this article interesting and useful, and reading it gave you at least several ideas on what you could change in your routine to wake up happier every day and, probably, even live a little longer.
