At just over 97,000, the United States has the highest overall number of centenarians in the world. This figure is expected to continue to rise with the population flood of baby boomers.
For many retirement-age adults, the thought of living to see one hundred candles on a birthday cake is their life’s ambition. Yet, to many others, the idea seems absurd.
What is the difference in thought processes? QUALITY OF LIFE!
Whether you aspire to live to be a hundred or take each day as it comes, it is wise to treat and care for your body as you expect it to care for you. Who better to chart the course for this stage of life than those who have been there?
I have had the honor of sharing the one-hundred-candle experience with many client friends and taking the opportunity to learn from their wisdom. With this, it is my pleasure to share with you the seven daily habits of these remarkable people that have facilitated quality of life and complemented their longevity.
- Never stop learning; age places no limits on one’s capacity to learn. Daily challenges for the mind promote imagination, logic/reasoning skills, memory recall, and cognitive awareness. “I have learned to use the internet, and the online learning opportunities are endless!” – Pearl McGovney, 100 years young!
- Move it or lose it: to be good at moving – you have to move, regardless of age. Therefore, keeping the body strong and capable of handling your daily business is essential. In addition, getting into the habit of exercise early makes it much easier to sustain as you age. “I don’t miss my exercise; it’s what keeps me moving!” – Mr. Jim Davidson, 101 years young!
- Eat a cookie; simple pleasures in life can go a long way toward providing happiness and promoting quality of life. But remember, the idea is to keep this indulgence occasional. This is part of what makes it special! “I like cookies, but too many will make me fat; that is why I come to Joe’s exercise class” – Mr. Foy Cox, 101 years young!
- Practice forgiveness; few things will weigh you down more than having a heavy or bitter heart. One can amass a lot of negative experiences in a hundred years of life; let go – forgive – and lighten the load! “I don’t have hard feelings with anyone anymore; I’ve come to peace with all the hard times” – Grandpa John Westervelt, 101 years young!
- Have fun every day; whether it be participating in a bit of friendly competition, creating a work of art, or going for an adventure, never miss an opportunity to enjoy those fun elements in your day. “Rarely will fun come to you; you must go to it -and the trip is always worth it!” – Miss Dorothy McFadden, 103 years young!
- Explore the world; this wondrous planet we call home offers so much diversity and opportunity for perspective; a lifetime of inclusion creates a missed opportunity. “Though I can’t travel as much as I used to, I enjoy reading magazines with pictures of people and places abroad. This still lets me take in the experience in my mind” – Miss Mae Timmons 100 years young!
- Keep your friends and your family close; loneliness can become a common plight for many aging adults, often due to a lack of initiative to remain actively engaged with others. Maintaining healthy relationships with those around you provides support, accountability, and the joys of social engagement. “I just love my circle of friends; we keep each other going. I also like keeping track of all of the family birthdays. I make phone calls rather than sending cards; it’s more personal that way” – Miss Pearl Lloyd 102 years young!
In final consideration, longevity is a divine appointment with the quality of each day determined by your can-do attitude with a focus on living life rather than end of life!
Be blessed and be well, my dear friends,
Joe Carson B.S. NASM-CPT/FAS/CN
Master Trainer/Functional Aging Specialist/Certified Nutritionist
Twenty-First Century Aging