For most people, the aim of staying fit implies having a long and healthy life. While diet, nutrition, and workouts play an important role, fitness coach Luke Coutinho shared that the secret to longevity goes beyond these. No one talks about the two key factors that are game-changers because they don’t bring commercial gains.
In his Instagram post, the integrative lifestyle expert said, “Powerful medicines are free; all we need to do is plan our day a little better and put in a bit of effort. It’s free, but at the end of the day, most humans take for granted what is free.”
He shared how stepping out in the morning to get some sunlight is part of the solution. “If there’s no sun or the sun is behind the clouds, getting natural light in your eyes and on your skin in the morning, even if it’s just for 10 minutes before those phones come on, is magic.”
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Luke said this helps a great deal in regulating hormones: “Think about insulin, thyroxin, estrogen, testosterone, all of these things.” He highly recommended going back to basics: “Every single day, more and more buried scientific research is coming to light. We think it’s about nutraceuticals, superfoods, or all these complications, but the fundamentals lead back to how we behave.”
Addressing the two key factors that are most important in the whole game of health and longevity, he said, “It’s how you manage chronic stress and how deep your sleep is. I know you can’t sell too many products around this, and that’s why no one talks about it.”
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The fitness coach shared that everyone wants to focus on nutrition, but it’s practically useless without great sleep and without managing chronic stress. “It’s the same with exercise, supplements, saunas, and cold baths. These are all good, they’re must-haves, but if we think they’re the most important, we’re mistaken. The actual science shows that chronic stress is the number one hijacker of our biology and ageing. And along with chronic stress, sleep deprivation, getting less than six hours of sleep a night, is just as damaging.”
While Luke commended the effort and money people put into taking care of their health, he advised that it’s best to start by addressing chronic stress and finding small ways to improve sleep. He called these “the magic of lifespan and the foundation of everything in the human body.”
FAQs on Longevity Secrets
1. What are the secrets to longevity according to Luke Coutinho?
Longevity secrets include managing chronic stress and achieving deep sleep. These factors, often overlooked due to lack of commercial gain, are crucial for maintaining overall health and longevity.
2. How can sunlight contribute to longevity?
Stepping out in the morning to get sunlight or natural light, even for 10 minutes, helps regulate hormones like insulin, thyroxin, estrogen, and testosterone, contributing significantly to longevity.
3. Why are chronic stress and sleep important for health?
Chronic stress and sleep deprivation disrupt biology and ageing. Managing stress and improving sleep are foundational for health and longevity, often more crucial than diet, nutrition, or workouts.
4. How does stress affect ageing?
Chronic stress is the number one hijacker of biology and ageing. It impacts overall health more significantly than nutrition and exercise, making stress management essential for longevity.
5. Why is sleep more important than other health practices?
Without adequate sleep, typically less than six hours nightly, practices like nutrition and exercise are less effective. Quality sleep is crucial for overall health and longevity, forming the foundation of a healthy lifespan.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.
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