Advice from Centenarians

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Advice from Centenarians
The Shores of Lake Phalen

Some people say that time brings wisdom. Others insist that experience is the best teacher. With more than 100 years of living behind them, centenarians clearly have the benefit of both. Oddly enough, the number of Americans living for a century or more is steadily increasing. Newsweek reports that the population of centenarians has been doubling roughly every eight years. What can we learn from people who have enjoyed such a lengthy lives? To find out, we’ve compiled a list of advice from centenarians.

Words to Live By: Advice from Centenarians

Interviewers often seek advice from centenarians, and their discussions make it clear that these individuals each have their own unique approach to life. However, certain themes do tend to appear time and again. Could these be the secrets to a long, happy life?

Maintain a Positive Attitude

“I wake up every day, and I’m thankful to the Lord,” 101-year-old author Herman Wouk said, and that positivity is a sentiment that is echoed repeatedly by his peers. Centenarians often encourage those who ask for tips to approach life with a positive attitude, celebrating the good things that each day brings – even when that day doesn’t go as expected.

Keep Moving

It may take three digits to write down Ruth Cohen’s age, but she doesn’t let that slow her down. According to Health, she still lifts weights, practices Pilates, and believes that anyone who can move can find some form of exercise that they can successfully perform and enjoy. While their preferred workouts vary widely, many centenarians cite the importance of staying active to living a long, satisfying life.

Mind Your Diet

Some centenarians swear that eating nutritious, healthy fare is their secret. Others stand behind starting each day with bacon or ending it with a night cap. While nutritionists and scientists debate the details of what people should eat, Forbes noted one dietary factor that many seniors had in common: portion size. Whether they stick to vegetarian fare, rave about the wonders of ice cream, or believe a nightly glass of wine helps to keep them going strong, most successful seniors seem to feel that moderation is best. They avoid oversized portions.

Stay Interested

When Real Simple asked Lili Rudin how she’d made it to 100, she credited curiosity and the involvement it inspires. “Do something interesting every day; otherwise you disintegrate,” Rudin urged. It’s a thought other centenarians share. Many report that being active in their communities, pursuing hobbies that they enjoy, experimenting with new technology, and learning new things keeps them feeling involved, vital, and younger than they are.

Have Fun

As HuffPost explains, Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara, a physician recognized for helping Japan become a world leader in longevity, clearly knew a thing or two about being a successful senior. He cared for patients until just a few months before his death at the age of 105. What advice did he offer? Since he was a doctor, it’s no surprise that he urged people to maintain a healthy weight, stay active, and remain involved. However, some of his advice was a bit more unusual. Hinohara encouraged seniors to have fun. Rather than stressing rules and routines, he suggested people should focus more on enjoying themselves. In fact, he believed fun was an effective pain reliever. “Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it,” Hinohara said. “If a child has a toothache, and you start playing a game together, he or she immediately forgets the pain.”

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While both genes and luck are obviously factors in determining a person’s lifespan, many centenarians clearly believe that attitude and behavior are also very influential. Listening to advice from centenarians provides an opportunity to incorporate their insights into your own lifestyle.

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