Why Life Expectancy In Switzerland Is One Of The Highest In The World

The Swiss are good at a lot of things – we know – but one thing we’re especially good at, is growing old. You may think that growing old is something that just happens to you, but no, in fact not everyone can grow old, and it surprisingly takes a bit of work – but the Swiss are particularly good at it.

Switzerland ranks as 5th in the highest life expectancies in the world, behind Norway and Australia, and with Japan leading the pack. What do all these countries have in common?  

Namely, a few great things all come together to work in our favour. Yes, Switzerland is a wealthy country, which allows us to have a good quality of life – but it’s not the be all and end all. You don’t have to be wealthy to live long. You just have to follow the Swiss way of life.

Eating local produce is surprisingly a great way to increase your overall health.

Not only is it better for the planet and local farmers to eat what is grown in your surrounding areas, in the correct seasons, but also the food tends to be more flavoursome as well as retaining the maximum amount of nutrients. Switzerland is a massive producer of fruit and vegetables, as well as meat and dairy – so there is plenty of access to fresh, good-quality food, straight from the farm.

Walking is one of the best exercises you can do, with the exercise known to improve both cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness. Pair that with clean, crisp air, and natural, green environments, Switzerland is the perfect place to stroll the cobbled streets or wander through forest trails. Hiking and outdoor sports are favoured activities come cold or warm weather, and our penchant for moving our bodies is reflected in our aging. It’s not uncommon for elderly hikers to beat you up the mountain – it’s no wonder we’re good at aging too.

Lastly, Switzerland is known for their medical industry. It’s one of the few medical spheres that focuses on preventative healthcare, and progressive medicine. By fixing medical issues at their roots, rather than simply treating the symptoms not the cause, allows us to be healthier in the long run – because life is a long race, if you run it right.

At the end of the day, it comes down to being smart with what you put in your body, and how well you use it. You don’t have to be doing HIIT classes every day to be fit, and you don’t need to be eating a strict diet of fish and steamed vegetables to be healthy. As long as you eat enough nutrients from fresh, non-processed food, and get outside to move your body, you’re well on your way to growing old. The ultimate goal.

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