This photo was taken a few weeks ago. We were hiking the yellow trail at Norvin Green State Park, a deceptively challenging hike but by hiking standards it's probably considered a moderate hike. We went a tad off trail when we came to this rock because we suspected that the view on top would be worth it. Indeed it was!
This hike was harder than what we had planned to do, so afterwards our sore hips and knees made us feel like the hike had taken years off of our lives. However, such activity likely added years to our lives. According to a study published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, physical activity can increase life expectancy. The research showed that people who were as active as the top 25% of the population could live an extra 5.3 years of life. The conclusion sounds obvious - more activity means better health and therefore a longer life - but when thought about in terms of the number of years it becomes meaningful. Think of it this way...how old would you need to be to see your granddaughter graduate from college or your nephew to become a dad? Sometimes those goals can be the motivation to adopt healthier habits.
Research has shown that Asians tend to outlive other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. According to Psychology Today, the Chinese population may have a longer life expectancy than Americans because the Chinese embrace Confucian values which therefore reduces the effects from stress. Qi Gong, an energy practice involving movement, is regularly practiced in public spaces throughout China and may be that extra level of physical activity that gives this population a longer life.
If you find that you spend much of your day sitting, get up at every opportunity. If you work at a computer, get up and speak with a coworker rather than messaging them online. Walk to the coffee shop. Walk to pick up lunch rather than getting it delivered. Your body was designed to move, not to sit for extended periods of time.