Check It Out: Centenarians share secrets to a long life
By Joan Janzen
A woman asked her 100-year-old grandfather what his secret was to such a long life. He replied, “I’m just waiting until I can afford a burial service.”
When asked how he had managed to live to the age of 100, an old man explained: “I got married when I was 21. The wife and I decided that if ever we argued, the loser should take a long walk to cool off. So I guess I’ve benefitted from 79 years of fresh air.”
Those may be jokes, but when a group of centenarians were interviewed online and asked about the secret to their long lives, one man responded, “I love the outdoors. Walk, walk, walk!” So maybe the joke about walking after losing arguments wasn’t too far-fetched after all.
“I suggest one hour a day of strenuous exercise; a real workout that will keep you going,” the man who lived more than ten decades continued to explain. “I go on the exercise bike 20 minutes a day to keep my legs in healthy form.”
While that senior was dedicated to exercising every day, despite his advanced years, another was interviewed while driving his car at the age of 102. “Sometimes time is heavy on my hands; I don’t have any of my good friends that are still alive. I’m the last man standing, but I know life goes on,” he said. “So get on and do the things that you love to do!” Apparently, one of the things he loved to do was to go for a drive.
If you’re wondering what it feels like to be 100 years old, one of the seniors had the answer. “I feel like I’m in my 80s,” he explained. “My attitude is - don’t let the old man in. If you think young, more than likely you’re going to act young.”
During the interview, the seniors also shared mental health advice. “Keep your mind active by playing games,” one woman said. “I have friends of all generations that help me enjoy life. That’s what makes life so interesting - hearing the responses of different generations to solve problems.”
Of course, by different generations, she was referring to those in their 70s and 80s. It doesn’t sound like a big generation gap until you realize the woman speaking was married to her husband for 85 years, which is longer than some of her friends have lived.
Speaking very practically, another man advised, “If you don’t complain and don’t make life difficult for whoever is around you, you’ll get along in life.”
A number of the seniors expressed the importance of devotion to family and the ones you love, which gave them purpose in their lives. “You want to be attached to the things in life that are positive and good in life. You have to ignore the negative; just forget it,” one woman declared.
The seniors were asked what the most important lesson they learned during their life was. “The thing I have really learned is not to be so self-centred. You can’t get anywhere in life until you start doing things for other people,” a 105-year-old woman replied. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Giving is a real joy. I think if you’re nice to people, it comes back to you.”
For some seniors, faith played an important role. “So many things I pray for - I get answers. That’s why I have longevity,” one woman said. She also stressed the importance of younger people visiting the elderly. “I think it is such a wonderful thing for people to do - not to forget people that are older.” She admitted that it’s tough to be alone, vulnerable and dependent.
A website of a ministry called Iron Ministry stressed the negative impact of loneliness. It observed loneliness impacts your body similarly to smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. It spikes cortisol, weakens your defences and accelerates aging at the cellular level.
“Community sharpens you,” a note on the website explained. “We aren’t built to walk alone.”
A wise proverb says, “Iron sharpens iron, as one person sharpens another”. That sharpening doesn’t happen through flattery; it happens through truth, accountability and shared purpose, the Iron Ministry team explained.
“It’s easy to be surrounded by spectators, but growth happens alongside those who are willing to challenge us and pray with us,” the website noted.
Some practical tips were also given on the website. “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry,” it advised. “Those are important words to remember when you’re about to go full on in a texting argument,” someone posted on the website. It’s definitely true that it’s much easier to text angry messages than it is to say the same words face to face.
The centenarians admitted they didn’t text, instead they offered their verbal advice. “Guard your health; it’s a gift,” one woman said. “Start at an early age and eat properly, and don’t get overweight.”
In a recent newsletter, Dr. Suneel Dhand advised people to be proactive in their health. “When something feels off, don’t ignore it. Your body is talking to you. Be strong and proactive,” he advised. “In the meantime, let’s be grateful for every day we are healthy and get to stay away from hospitals and doctors.”