6 unexpected ways to live to be 100

Research unequivocally proves that longevity in a bright mind and memory is not at all a consequence of any self-restraint. Against. As scientists led by cognitive neuroscientist Emily Rogalski of Northwestern University in the United States have discovered, the path to longevity is joyful, tempting, and simple.

ScientistAlert has published an extract from Rogalski's talk given at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting in February 2018.

Having studied it, Lifehacker compiled a list of six habits that most superagers have - as in the English scientific newspeak they call those whose age has crossed the 80 mark and is confidently approaching 100.

1. Do not deny yourself the pleasure

It is believed that the path to longevity lies exclusively through a healthy lifestyle: proper balanced nutrition, giving up bad habits, fighting excess weight, and so on. But, as it turned out, this is a myth.

Among the centenarians, there were practically no those who led a healthy lifestyle in its classical sense. Most of them smoke (Rogalski mentions that 71% of super-seniors have this bad habit). And he regularly indulges himself with a glass or two of wine (this habit is recorded in 83% of those who happily survived the 80-year mark and rushed to their personal age).

These observations are in line with the findings of The 90-Year-Olds Study, a large-scale analysis of the habits of centenarians conducted in 2003 by The 90+ Study / UC Irvine Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders at the University of California. A brief summary of the research results is as follows:

People who indulge in small pleasures like coffee and wine live longer on average than those who abstain.

Of course, we are talking about any joys: everything that gives us pleasure prolongs our life. And it doesn't matter what exactly it will be: wine, steak, good book, music or something else. The effect is the same: more joy - more life.

2. Do not overdo it

By the way, about steaks. Delicious food is also a source of pleasure that you should not forbid yourself. You may not be as slim as you would have dreamed, but you will get a better chance of living to be 100 years old.

The authors of the "Study of 90 Years" insist: people who are moderately overweight at 70 - that is, do not deny themselves the joy of gastronomic pleasures, live longer than slender women or people with a reduced body mass index (BMI).

"We do not yet know how to explain this, but a low BMI after 80 years has a negative effect on life expectancy," - relying on his own scientific experience, Rogalski notes.

3. Have a job you love

What practically all centenarians have in common is the presence of a hobby. They always have something to do: someone travels, someone embroiders with a cross, someone enthusiastically takes pictures of the surroundings or goes on weekly bike trips.

4. Don't forget friends

Social activity is another common feature of centenarians. And it is closely related to the cognitive functions of the brain. As scientists suggest, it is sociability that protects people from senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease and other age-related neurological disorders.

The researchers found that all centenarians have an unusually large number of brain cells called von Economo neurons. It is assumed that these neurons play an important role in the rapid transmission of information related to social interactions.

The conclusion is simple.

The more often and more actively you communicate, the more new friends you make, the more von Economo neurons grow your brain.

And the lower the risk of developing dementia and other senile disorders.

By the way, a little more about the brain …

5. Arrange for yourself a moderate mental stress

Reading, learning languages, acquiring new skills - these factors are also unifying factors for superagers. Their life does not end with retirement, but blossoms with new colors: they continue to study. Such a load is a boon for the brain, since it allows you to maintain a clear and sharp mind even after 80.

6. Be optimistic

This is perhaps one of the key habits. All centenarians have a more positive outlook on the world than the average elderly. They like to live, reality still arouses curiosity and even delight in them. Perhaps that is why death and clouding of consciousness bypass them.

According to the statistics cited by Emily Rogalski, only 5% of the Earth's population is over the threshold of the 80th anniversary in sound mind and memory. To reach this milestone, according to gerontologists, it will be much easier if you enjoy life and smile.