Ironing clothes and washing dishes are better than walking: They help prolong your life, advice valid for men too

Engaging in household chores like ironing clothes and washing dishes can contribute to a longer life, according to experts who recommend breaking up sedentary periods with light physical activities. This advice is particularly relevant for men and aims to reduce the risk of serious diseases, including cancer.

Research indicates that sitting for more than 30 minutes consecutively increases cancer risk. To combat this, experts suggest establishing a routine that involves regular movement away from chairs or beds. A decade-long study by the University of Glasgow, involving over 90,000 participants, found that short bursts of physical activity significantly lower the risk of developing serious illnesses. The findings, published in Plos Medicine, focused on the health impacts of prolonged sedentary behavior.

The study revealed that substituting sedentary time with light physical activity, such as slow walking, ironing, or washing dishes, is associated with a 12% reduction in cancer mortality risk. Conversely, every extra hour spent inactive increases the risk of dying from cancer by 10%. The benefits are substantial: replacing inactivity with just five minutes of energetic activity can lead to a 22% decrease in risk.