Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Heart Surgeon Shares Three Hobby Habits Linked To Longevity
Dr Jeremy London says some fun hobbies may help people live longer.
He groups these hobbies into three kinds.
The first kind gets your body moving, such as walking, swimming or gardening.
The second kind exercises your brain, such as reading, painting or playing music.
The third kind involves spending time with other people.
Doing these activities with friends or family may make them even more helpful.
The best hobby, he says, combines movement, thinking and social time.
He also emphasizes doing the hobby regularly and consulting a doctor about personal health concerns.
Dr Jeremy London says longevity-supporting hobbies generally involve movement, mental engagement or social connection.
Walking, running, cycling, swimming, gardening, golf and tennis are examples of active hobbies he recommends.
Reading, writing, painting, playing music, playing cards and photography can help keep the mind engaged.
Dr London says social activities may strengthen the benefits of physical and mentally stimulating hobbies.
He recommends consistently pursuing hobbies that combine movement, mental activity and time with other people.
- Who
- Dr Jeremy London, a board-certified cardiovascular surgeon with more than 25 years of experience.
- What
- He shared three broad categories of hobbies that research has associated with living longer: physical, mentally stimulating and social activities.
- When
- In a video shared on August 19.
- Why
- To explain simple, enjoyable habits that may support longevity when practiced consistently.
- Advice source
- Dr Jeremy London
- Experience
- More than 25 years as a cardiovascular surgeon
- Physical hobbies
- Walking, running, cycling, swimming, gardening, golf and tennis
- Mental hobbies
- Reading, writing, painting, playing music, playing cards and photography
- Social activities
- Walking with friends, joining sports groups, playing cards with family or doing creative activities with others
- Recommended combination
- Move the body, engage the mind and spend time with other people
- Research reference
- Dr London referred to a study involving more than 18,000 people