Chris Hemsworth, 40, revealed that he has altered his daily routines upon discovering his genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease. In an interview with Men's Health on October 3, he emphasized the significance of incorporating solitude into his life. While he has always been committed to exercise, he now recognizes the importance of carving out time for stillness and self-reflection without any external distractions.
The star of Thor: Love and Thunder, known for his dedication to physical fitness, has revamped his workout routine after learning about the connection between Alzheimer's disease and exercise. Hemsworth now focuses more on cardio and endurance workouts, opting for less frequent weightlifting sessions. He explained, "My weight tends to fluctuate due to the demands of different roles and my personal desire to challenge my body in various ways. I find that I enjoy cardio and endurance workouts more than intense bodybuilding sessions."
Hemsworth incorporates additional mental health exercises into his daily routine. According to him, he primarily focuses on meditation and breath work, particularly while engaging in sauna and ice bath routines. Immersing himself in physical activities, such as surfing, allows him to experience a sense of mindfulness, taking him out of his thoughts and into the present moment.
Hemsworth, who is married to Elsa Pataky and has three children, makes an effort to distance himself from the constant thoughts in his mind. He achieves this by reducing his screen time before bed and prioritizing a full night's sleep.
While filming his National Geographic docuseries, Limitless, in November 2022, Australian actor Chris Hemsworth discovered that he had a heightened susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease. To investigate further, Hemsworth underwent a series of genetic tests, which revealed that he possesses two copies of the APOE4 gene, one inherited from each of his parents.
"It's estimated that only about one out of a thousand or perhaps one out of ten thousand individuals have two copies of the gene...I can't recall the exact statistics. However, it does mean that my chances of developing the neurodegenerative disease are eight to ten times higher," he disclosed to Vanity Fair. "Since learning this information, I've noticed a decline in my memory. It could be a placebo effect, or it could be happening for real!"
Prior to taking the test, Hemsworth was already acquainted with Alzheimer's disease due to his grandfather's current battle with the condition.