The secrets of long life

R

Rose65

Well-known Member
Location
United Kingdom
No doubt we all wonder how some people live well past 90 in reasonable good health.
Of all my observations there are certain aspects that stand out. Calm non-worried temperament, very regular habits, moderate light diet, no smoking or drinking, maintenance of interest in people and stimulating hobbies, some but not excessive daily exercise such as walking outside. Also an optimistic outlook with a strong often stubborn personality.

Usually good genes of long lived parents and siblings is a great indicator of long life.

I like those interviews with the over hundreds, asking their secrets. They often talk of a glass of sherry daily, chocolate or other small pleasure. This indicates that simple enjoyment of life is perhaps the answer?
 

Almost everyone in my ancestry and family lived over
100 years with mind and body intact to the very end.
(or their late 90's)
(except my brother, but he smoked heavy)

I don't want to live that long though.
but I'm terribly healthy so I guess it will be awhile
before they send me back for recycling.

Of the above attributes, I don't smoke drink or take drugs,
am stubborn, and firmly believe chocolate is a health food.
 
Iā€™ve no secrets to living a long life except eat well, exercise and have good DNA.
The only ancestors I knew was my grandmother who was in her late 70ā€™s when she died. My parents however are in their 90ā€™s. My mom is 90 and my dad 95. They ate well and exercised.
 

Gaer said:
Almost everyone in my ancestry and family lived over
100 years with mind and body intact to the very end.
(or their late 90's)
(except my brother, but he smoked heavy)

I don't want to live that long though.
but I'm terribly healthy so I guess it will be awhile
before they send me back for recycling.

Of the above attributes, I don't smoke drink or take drugs,
am stubborn, and firmly believe chocolate is a health food.
Click to expand...
I like your style. Luck is only a part of it, surely not smoking is the single biggest factor to prevent so much disease.
 
Gaer said:
Almost everyone in my ancestry and family lived over
100 years with mind and body intact to the very end.
(or their late 90's)
(except my brother, but he smoked heavy)

I don't want to live that long though.
but I'm terribly healthy so I guess it will be awhile
before they send me back for recycling.

Of the above attributes, I don't smoke drink or take drugs,
am stubborn, and firmly believe chocolate is a health food.
Click to expand...
Well, Gaer, if chocolate is a health food, then sign me up for a lifetime supply! With your healthy habits and family longevity, I have a feeling you'll be dodging the "recycling" truck for a good long while. Just be sure to share that secret chocolate health potion with the rest of us! šŸ«šŸ˜„
 
Aside from the things already mentioned (Especially dark chocolate everyday), I use plenty of olive oil or avocado oil for cooking and for salads (Oil & red wine vinegar), plenty of vegees, meats in moderation (low amounts of red meat), exercise everyday, walks in nature, and music and dance. I listen to music when I exercise, and sometimes I will listen to it and get into a dancing groove while I'm cooking or baking something. I know it sounds goofy, but I don't care what others think. It makes me feel young.
 
Both of my grandfathers lived into their 90s, had a great grandfather who lived to 102.

Paternal grandfather made it to 95, he:
  • Calm non-worried temperament, absolutely, never met anyone more so.
  • very regular habits, not particularly
  • moderate light diet, no, ate lots of fat and sugar was probably ~75 lbs over weight
  • no smoking or drinking, never saw him do either
  • maintenance of interest in people and stimulating hobbies, not so much, he did enjoy walking to the ball park and watching little league baseball. Best domino player I have ever known.
  • some but not excessive daily exercise such as walking outside, he loved to walk, slowly around the neighborhood, always carried a pocket full of dimes to give the kids everybody knew him.
  • Also an optimistic outlook with a strong often stubborn personality. Never spoke of his outlook, he didn't talk a lot, not sure how stubborn he was kept that to himself.
  • I believe WWI was a defining experience in his life. He was one of two survivors in a original company of ~100 men. One of the first sent over and saw as much combat as any US soldier did. He was preparing to charge when word of the armistice reached him. To my knowledge his only wounds were mustard gas scars. He very rarely spoke of it, refused to participate in the American Legion or speak to other vets about it. But I don't think it was ever far from his mind. He did manage to make the best of it. I think it added to some of his calm, he never had another experience like it or even close.
Paternal grandfather made it to 99, he:
  • Calm non-worried temperament, not so much
  • very regular habits, absolutely
  • moderate light diet, yes he was an early health food nut and always very slim
  • no smoking or drinking, chain smoked cigars never saw him awake without one, never saw him drink
  • maintenance of interest in people and stimulating hobbies, he fished 3 or 4 days a week and bowled at least once. Some friends, mostly neighbors and fishing buddies. He told that he had more friends when he was younger, but he outlived most all of them.
  • some but not excessive daily exercise such as walking outside. Only what he got fishing and bowling.
  • Also an optimistic outlook with a strong often stubborn personality. Not so much.
Didn't really know my great grandfather who made it to 102, but I know he died after falling out of a tree drunk. It was his first and only visit to a hospital or doctor in his life.

None of the women in my family made it to 90, not that I know of.

So kind of a mixed bag.
 
Last edited:
Mike said:
Red Bull Energy Drink, according to an article in the newspaper
a few days ago, has something in its recipe that can make you
younger, both in looks and how you feel,
Click to expand...
Interesting, thanks for the link. I drink sugar free Red Bull sometimes when I need a quick caffeine fix. Never noticed the effect.

Whiskey on the other hand makes me much smarter and better looking, but it always seems to wear off by morning...
 
bobcat48 said:
Aside from the things already mentioned (Especially dark chocolate everyday), I use plenty of olive oil or avocado oil for cooking and for salads (Oil & red wine vinegar), plenty of vegees, meats in moderation (low amounts of red meat), exercise everyday, walks in nature, and music and dance. I listen to music when I exercise, and sometimes I will listen to it and get into a dancing groove while I'm cooking or baking something. I know it sounds goofy, but I don't care what others think. It makes me feel young.
Click to expand...

It sounds like you do everything right. Doesn't sound goofy to me. I always have my AirPods in when I walk on the treadmill or outside and I also kinda dance when I'm walking.
 
Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I am thanking God and my mother every morning for being able to enjoy one more great day.

At 87+ I am walking daily with my Boxer dogs 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the evening. I am trying to do everything right to make it to 100.

I have a wife who cooks very healthy; yes, only Olive oil, plenty of fruits, vegetables and fish; never junk or fast food;

Having kids and grandchildren with whom I am in touch almost daily.

I am hooked on nutritional supplements, and especially on anti-oxidants to keep inflammation of the body to a minimum, as measured by the C-Reactive Protein Test. It should be <7 but I am always around 1 (my doctor double-checked because he couldn't believe it.) Inflammation is the root cause of so many health problems.

I have no real problems to worry about besides being a bit over-weight. Life is as good as I can reasonably expect it to be. No, I don't want to be a millionaire. I am happy with my life and am grateful for what I have.

2022-12-27 hiking.jpegIMG_5896.JPGIMG_5650.JPGDSC01194.JPG
 
Last edited:
Rose65 said:
No doubt we all wonder how some people live well past 90 in reasonable good health.
Of all my observations there are certain aspects that stand out. Calm non-worried temperament, very regular habits, moderate light diet, no smoking or drinking, maintenance of interest in people and stimulating hobbies, some but not excessive daily exercise such as walking outside. Also an optimistic outlook with a strong often stubborn personality.

Usually good genes of long lived parents and siblings is a great indicator of long life.

I like those interviews with the over hundreds, asking their secrets. They often talk of a glass of sherry daily, chocolate or other small pleasure. This indicates that simple enjoyment of life is perhaps the answer?
Click to expand...
I think one key to a long life is being grateful and appreciative. I work hard to eat well and exercise but having a positive attitude is important. And some of it is just the luck of the draw. Betty White, I believe ate hot dogs and french fries every day and lived to be 99, but she was kind and positive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top