This Simple Daily Habit Is Linked to a Longer Life
A 14th-century German theologian, Thomas Kempis, made a comment about the human desire for a long life, stating, "It is futile to wish for a long life, and then to give so little care to living well." Almost everyone wants to live a long life, but many follow lifestyles that work against that desire. While there are many things that contribute to a longer and healthier life, there is one overlooked and simple act that can make a life-extending difference.
Almost everyone wants to live a long life, but many follow lifestyles that work against that desire. While there are many things we can do to contribute to longer and healthier life, let’s take a look at one very simple act that can make a life-extending difference.
A 14th century German theologian, Thomas Kempis, making a comment about the human desire for a long life stated:
“It is futile to wish for a long life, and then to give so little care to living well.”
The well-known British newspaper, The Telegraph, published an article by Emily Craig on July 19, 2025, entitled: “The five reasons you should go for an evening walk after eating.”
This short and straightforward article revealed some astounding research that has been done on the simple act of taking a walk, and how it can offer a practical and effective means of contributing to a longer life. Given the growing sedentary nature of our Western populations under the influence of social media and its effect of growing social isolation, this is all the more pertinent.
Craig notes:
However, the evidence is stacking up in support of incorporating a walk, the most popular form of physical activity, into our evenings. Recent research suggests that being active at 6pm can lower our risk of bowel cancer…It adds to piles of studies which show that walking, especially after eating, can improve digestion, regulate blood sugar, lower blood pressure and aid weight loss.
She goes on to expound on five specific benefits, all supported by research, showing how walking after eating can extend your life and improve your health.
Reduced risk of bowel cancer:
The author refers to research from Regensburg University in Germany involving more than 86,000 people which showed a 10 per cent lower risk of bowel cancer from activity such as walking. ↳Professor Colin Greaves at the University of Birmingham thought it likely that since walking is relaxing, it may reduce stress-related inflammation and blood pressure, which is beneficial to our organs, including the bowel.
According to Dr. James King of Loughborough University, an evening walk mobilises anti-tumor cells and enhances the natural process of cell death so that it is “more likely that cells potentially becoming cancerous are cleared out before they have a chance to become nasty.” This is a huge potential benefit as we age.
↳Lowering of type-2 diabetes risk:
Craig’s article also cites research indicating that a brisk one-hour daily walk cuts the risk of developing type-2 diabetes by 40%, and supports the hypothesis that walking after a meal reduces a spike in blood sugar.
↳We are all aware of the rise in diabetes rates, and prevention is both a personal, social and economic benefit.
Major reduction in risk of dementia:
The author also points to research done at the University of Sydney.↳ There, using a sample size of 80,000 people, it was found that those walking only 3800 steps per day had a reduced probability of experiencing dementia of 25%. Those who walked about 9800 steps per day (about 5 miles in total) reduced the risk of dementia by an astounding 51%.
Apparently, sufficient walking serves to reduce brain shrinkage, and may increase the size of the hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with memory. Given the apparent growth in the plague of dementia, the value of walking seems to be much enhanced.
Better heart health:
↳The Telegraph article, along with a host of other papers, draws very strong linkages between walking and improved cardio-vascular health, along with a reduced risk of stroke.
- Extension of lifespan:
The author also references research from the University of Leicester, a study involving 70,000 individuals. Results suggest that for inactive people over the age of 60, only 10 minutes of walking per day could extend lifespan by a year.
This last finding alone shows the impact of a simple, drug-free, inexpensive act that can not only extend one’s life, but also enhance one’s quality of life, keeping more people active, productive and happy. Our bodies are amazing examples of brilliant engineering and design, and most importantly they were intended to move. Movement extends life, makes it more enjoyable, and adds to the quality of the years we have on this earth.
So get some good walking shoes and maybe even an umbrella, and start walking your way to a longer and healthier life.