Queen Elizabeth's healthy habits might not make you a monarch, but it could help lead to a longer, happier life.
Living to be nearly a century is no small feat…yet Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, or Queen Elizabeth II, added that milestone to her very long list of impressive accomplishments. Queen Elizabeth was born April 21, 1926 and died September 8, 2022, making her 96 years and four months old. For context, a woman born in 1926 has just a 3.2% chance of making it to the century mark.
Breakfast
Queen Elizabeth’s breakfast was a routine priority, with breakfast was always served at 8:30 a.m. sharp. Eating a healthy breakfast has been linked with a longer life, perhaps due to breakfast-eaters having a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Earl Grey to start the day
Queen Elizabeth’s breakfast was a routine priority, with breakfast was always served at 8:30 a.m. sharp. Eating a healthy breakfast has been linked with a longer life, perhaps due to breakfast-eaters having a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Pets reduce blood pressure
Elizabeth was famously devoted to her band of adorable dogs, especially her corgis. Research has found that owning pets can boost your health by lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, lowering health care costs (pet owners visit the doctor less frequently than those who don’t have an animal), fight depression, and reduce your risk of obesity, cancer, and diabetes. Time for a walk!
Humour is powerful medicine
Elizabeth was known for her sharp wit and dry sense of humuor and was often photographed mid-laugh. Close friends and acquaintances have shared many stories about her enjoyment of a good joke.
Humour is powerful medicine for your brain and body—boosting mood, lowering stress, improving social ties, and, yes, increasing longevity. Do your own laughter experiment and see how it changes your life!
Couples have better health
We’re sure that Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth had their ups and down like any couple, but they appeared to be extremely close—after all, they were married for over 70 years!
Being in a happy partnership has health benefits that go beyond simply being in love. Called “the marriage benefit,” research has shown that stable couples are more likely to maintain a healthy weight, exercise, take vacations, and enjoy better overall health.
Purpose equals longevity
Elizabeth dedicated her life to serving the people. She loved her job and it showed! She was famous for her “walkabouts”—tours where she connected with people all over the world. These passions likely played a part in her longevity. People with a passion have been found to be more optimistic and happier in general.
Perhaps the most important health (and life) lesson we can take from Queen Elizabeth’s 96 years is the importance of endurance—to wake up and keep trying, no matter what.
As she put it: “When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.”
Consistent sleep is key
The Queen follows 'consistent' sleep routine to stay healthy and boost longevity. Wellbeing experts said sleep and exercise routines can greatly improve one's health.
The Queen has a very active lifestyle and a healthy sleep routine. She reportedly sleeps eight and a half hours every day, which is the average sleep an adult should be getting every night.
Going to bed at the same time every day also has a positive effect as it trains the body to feel automatically sleepy as bedtime approaches, ensuring a better night’s sleep.