Dan Buettner, an explorer of the world’s ‘Blue Zones’, claimed that one year is the ‘most dangerous’ year of your life
A longevity researcher has pinpointed the ‘most dangerous year of your life’, arguing that one habit may keep you healthy for longer. Dan Buettner is an explorer of the world’s elusive ‘Blue Zones’ where locals have a greater chance of reaching 100 than ‘average’ US citizens, according to reports.
In a new TikTok, the 64-year-old claimed that losing a social network, sense of purpose and exercising less can all contribute to increasing mortality, but one thing may help. “This will shock a lot of people,” he said to his 152,000 followers.
“The most dangerous year of your adult life, on average, is the year you retire. There is a notable mortality spike that year. We don’t know if you are more likely to die because you lost your social network, or you lost your sense of purpose, or you are less likely to be active if you’re retired.
“But one of the greatest ways to overcome that is find something to do after your retire. Or, if you like your job, keep working. It will add years to your life.”
While it is unclear what data Dan is referring to, the Amsterdam Public Health research institute investigated links between retirement age and mortality across 25 studies in 2020. Interestingly, results showed that on-time retirement was ‘associated with a higher risk of mortality’ compared with working beyond retirement. The study did not confirm the cause of this, but said it may be due to something known as ‘healthy worker’ phenomenon.
This is simply the idea that ‘healthy (people) are more likely to work beyond retirement, and unhealthy (people) are more likely to exit from the workforce’, potentially skewing results. Yet, other studies echo similar patterns too, including a US-based of analyses of 29,655 people.
This saw that ‘physical functioning declines faster in retirement than in full-time work in employees aged 65 years or older’. Scientists said the ‘difference (was) not explained by absence of chronic diseases and lifestyle-related risks’ either.
At the time, they wrote: “Some people may continue working because of financial pressures. In this situation, participation in working life may not necessarily facilitate employees’ health, especially their mental health.
“On the other hand, some may want to continue working because they are interested in working with colleagues or contributing with their knowledge and skills. In this situation, the health and functioning are likely to be maintained.”
Although research is ongoing, it is clear that keeping the body and mind active, regardless of age, can help stave off several serious conditions. This even includes cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s, with a new study labelling aerobic exercise crucial for improved cognitive function.
On TikTok, Dan emphasised: “Keep busy, stay active, and keep working – your health and longevity depend on it!”
