It’s safe to say that living over 100 is an impressive achievement and something many people would love to do. After all, what could be better than enjoying your retirement years healthy and happy? Yet living over 100 is not as simple as deciding to. While genetics may play a significant role in lifespan, there are certain lifestyle habits that can increase your chances of living longer.
If you’re curious about how to live over 100, then here are some interesting things people over 100 have in common that you should take notes on.
Healthy Diet
One thing’s for sure, and that’s that people over 100 are not eating McDonald’s every day. While people over 100 agree that life is meant to be enjoyed, and an occasional indulgence is not only tolerated but encouraged, you’ll find that most people in their triple digits eat fairly healthy.
Their diets are typically very low in processed foods, saturated fats, and most importantly sugar. The primary source of food comes from vegetables, and focus on nutrient-dense food sources full of antioxidants.
They’re Active
Staying active is a critical part of keeping your body healthy. Statistics show that people over 100 move every single day. You won’t see them on the couch watching TV, but rather out and about moving, gardening, or working in some form. Staying active helps maintain a healthy weight, and improves your overall cardiovascular health. If you can manage to move even just 30 minutes a day, you’ll already significantly increase your lifespan.
Strong Social Connections
Besides the food we eat and the way we move our bodies, one of the most important parts of living a healthy life is spending time with people we love. Strong social connections are something that people over 100 have in common. Maintaining close relationships with family and friends, and prioritizing spending time with people we love fosters a sense of belonging. As such, people with strong social connections have improved mental health and as such live longer lives.
Optimism
There’s something to be said about optimism when it comes to living a healthy life. People who dwell on the negative or always assume the worst have much higher stress levels. Stress isn’t just a feeling, but also takes physical form. You have higher blood pressure and a higher chance of a heart attack.
People who live longer lives are the ones that have a positive outlook on life and approach life with optimistic resilience. However, this state of mind doesn’t always necessarily come to them naturally. They make an effort to engage in stress-reducing activities like meditation, attending therapy sessions, or practicing mindfulness.