1. Find Reasons to Laugh
In a 2012 study published in the journal Aging, researchers from Yeshiva University in the US identified several factors 100-year-olds had in common. A love of laughter was one. “They considered it an important part of life,” said the lead researcher.
2. Floss Every Day
It lowers the risk of heart disease, dementia and stroke by reducing bacteria levels in the mouth. Do it before you brush.
3. Find a Purpose
In Nicoya, Costa Rica – which has one of the highest concentrations of 100-year-olds in the world – residents typically have a 'plan de vida', or 'plan for life', typically revolving around family and friends.
4. Book a Holiday
And don’t feel guilty. In a long-term study of residents of the Massachusetts town of Framingham, men who took frequent holidays outlived their workaholic counterparts. Go somewhere sunny too: the vitamin D will help.
5. Grow Your Own
In centenarian hotspot Okinawa, Japan, most residents share one hobby: cultivating their own gardens. It’s low-stress physical activity and it keeps you supplied with pesticide-free greens.
6. Get Spiritual
A 2008 WebMD study of centenarians found that it’s a common trait, but it doesn’t mean going to church – practising meditation or mindfulness is enough.
7. Dodge the Smokes
In a landmark study of men born before 1913, the centenarians were all non-smokers with good posture and low blood pressure. Obvious and boring, maybe, but it works.
