5 Secrets Revealed by Centenarians That Can Help You Live Longer

Last week, I came across an informative video about our favorite snacks having weird ingredients in it. Days after that, I read an article about how to become physically fit by avoiding the food I have been eating and serving my family.

Honestly, I was discouraged and asked myself, “what am I going to do now?” For people like us, who have a limited budget and resources, it’s hard to keep a healthy lifestyle.

Admittedly, it is quite alarming that due to a sedentary lifestyle, our life expectancy is getting shorter. Since everything is just a tap away – like we don’t need to walk to find restaurants and places to visit anymore – people develop chronic diseases such as Hypertension, Diabetes, just to name a few. Although these diseases can be hereditary, it could also be acquired if we don’t keep an active lifestyle.

pine sol me time

The closest we can do now is to listen and meditate to our favorite songs.

Pine-Sol me time

I miss doing Yoga.

Interestingly, I’ve read something about longevity. I found out how these centenarians live for 100 years and beyond!

The people who lived 100 years and beyond are called Centenarians.

centenarian

 (Source: longevitycookbook.io)

Of course, their genes have something to do with their life span. Surprisingly, when I was researching about them, it turns out that most of the centenarians smoke, rarely exercise, and have bad eating habits.

Jeanne Calment

She is Jeanne Calment (February 21, 1875 – August 4, 1997). She lived in France and started smoking at the age of 21 and quit in her 117th year. (Source: wikipedia/staying-ageless.com)

Furthermore, scientists have discovered some active centenarians living in Sardinia Italy, Islands of Okinawa Japan, Loma Linda California, Nicoya, Costa Rica, and Ikaria, Greece. 

longevity village

Cardiologist John Day, M.D., of Intermountain Healthcare in Utah, proved it as well when he visited The Longevity Village in Bapan, China in 2013.

So, what makes them live for 100 years and beyond? Let’s start reading the secrets they revealed to living your life to the fullest.

5 Secrets Revealed by Centenarians About Longevity

5. Stay sociable and know your purpose in life.

With how technology changed the way we communicate and mingle, we also forgot the human connection remains the essential part of life. According to the video I watched, the centenarians in the Longevity Village, are people actively joining the community projects. In fact, Dr. John Day confirmed that these old people remain connected and stay sociable with their family members by getting involved in their relative’s lives. They teach and share their expertise in life and child-rearing.

grandparents

Studies show that having a sense of purpose is a significant reason for attaining longevity. In fact, there are studies that taking care of your grandchildren can lower the risk of Alzheimers or dementia. (Source: Livescience.com)

Ultimately, staying sociable doesn’t mean you need to drink with friends, etc. You can just dine, have wine, and short yet meaningful talk with your family after playing board games!

Spend time with your family, period!

4. Stay Active

Staying active for centenarians doesn’t mean you need to go the gym (although, it helps!). As per Dr. Day, since there are no gyms at the said village, people keep an active lifestyle by continuing their routines like farming, walking, to name a few. It doesn’t sound hard, does it?

Ben_Goldfaden

He is Ben Goldfaden (September 16, 1913 – March 25, 2013). He played for the NBA Washington Capitols in 1946. He remained active even after his retirement.

3. Laugh as much as you can

“Laughter is the best medicine.” Always used but hardly practiced.

Bel Kaufman

Source: lilith.org / Photo by Joan Roth

In fact, an American Teacher and Author of the bestselling novel, Up The Down Staircase, Bel Kaufman, 101 (May 10, 1911 – July 25, 2014), said, “laughter keeps you healthy.” I think the saying came from her, whatchu think?

Laughing is free, so go ahead and laugh as much as you can!

2. Say No to Stress!

Stress has always been a part of our lives. But, we can control it by doing the following:

  • Let go of the people who are hard to deal with.
  • Do what you love
  • Pursue your passion and step out of your comfort zone!

Dr. Leila Denmark

Dr. Leila Denmark (February 1, 1898 – April 1, 2012) was the oldest and longest Pediatrician practitioner in America. According to her, “eating right and doing what you love is the key to living your life to the fullest!”(Source: themarysue.com)

1. Love and Be Easy going

Well, love is the most wonderful (and free) thing that God has given us. As what one centenarian, Samuel Ball, who lived for 102 years said, “find a good partner, enjoy two scotches a night and lastly, be easy going.”

‘Nuff said.

So, let me end this article with a quote and a question to you: “Are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all we have. – Randy Pausch.

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