How can you invest in yourself today and extend your life?

Imagine there was an investment that gave you back five times as much for every euro you invested. You wouldn't hesitate for long, would you?

You can now make exactly this investment in yourself - not in money, but in time. Time that gives you more life.

Scientists have made an amazing discovery: every minute of exercise gives you five minutes of extra life. This means that if you are active for one hour three times a week, you will give yourself a whole day of extra life in just eight weeks.

Sounds incredible? But it's scientifically proven.

Dr. Euan Ashley, professor at Stanford University, put it in a nutshell in an interview: " Exercise is the best medicine you can prescribe for yourself. No drug in the world can do what regular exercise does:

• 60% less risk of atrial fibrillation

• 50% less risk of diabetes

• 70 % less risk of a fractured neck of femur

• 50 % less risk of bowel cancer

• 25% less risk of breast cancer

• 25 % less risk of depression

• 70 % of active people sleep better

• And overall: a significantly lower mortality rate

In short: every cell in your body benefits. Your heart, your bones, your brain, your immune system - everything is improved by exercise.

This is not a new insight, but just like with financial investments, it often takes an "aha" moment to take action.

A good example: Years ago, politicians in the USA were trying to convince people to invest more money in after-school programs for children. The initial reaction? Rejection. Too expensive, too costly. But when a study showed that every dollar invested brought four dollars in savings - less crime, fewer school dropouts, less drug abuse - everything changed. Suddenly the project was a no-brainer.

That's exactly how you should see exercise: not as an expense, but as the best investment you'll ever make.

You don't have to run a marathon straight away. Start small. Go for a walk, take the stairs instead of the elevator, dance around your apartment. Everything counts.

So if you've been procrastinating, let this be your wake-up call:

Invest in yourself. You'll pay yourself back fivefold.

Sources:

• Ashley, E. (Stanford University), Interview on the importance of exercise

• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Exercise and life expectancy

• Mayo Clinic: Health benefits of regular activity