My wife and I enjoy taking the stairs at airports and racing the people on the escalators. Yeah, we’re a little weird.
It’s a little game we play. Even though we are carrying bags, we still beat them to the top.
Who knew this might help us live longer?
People who reported regularly climbing stairs had a 39% lower risk of death from heart disease and a 24% lower risk of dying from any cause, according to the analysis, which pooled the results of nine studies involving more than 480,000 patients. Regular stair-climbing was also associated with a lower risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure. (source)
Of course, I have enough of a research background to know that several possible confounds exist, and causality hasn’t been proven.
These people may already be fit and enjoy taking the stairs.
People who take stairs may also engage in other healthy habits (e.g., daily exercise, eating well).
Stairs people may be less likely to engage in bad habits (e.g., they don’t smoke).
Do people who use stairs get healthier, or do healthier people use the stairs?
The answer is probably yes.
Hey, if nothing else, taking the stairs is an indicator of health. It will either confirm that you’re pretty healthy and enjoy it or that you're struggling and hate it.
If you struggle to take the stairs, let it be a wake-up call.
Yes, I also realize taking the stairs is a physical privilege. Using the stairs is impossible for some people. I know that.
But, if you can take the stairs, start doing it more often. Regardless of causality, doing it—or the fact that you CAN do it—might improve your health and help you live longer.
I’m Larry Cornett, a Freedom Coach who works with you to optimize your career, business, and life. My mission is to help you become a more "Invincible You" so you can live your life on your terms instead of being controlled by someone else's rules. I live in Northern California near Lake Tahoe with my wife and our Great Dane.