There are 80,000 centenarians now living in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
This group is now thought to be the fastest growing population in the U.S.
Medical care has improved in leaps and bounds since the turn of the last century. And access to safe drinking water and a variety of healthy foods has increased ten-fold.
Wanting to discover the secret to longevity of seniors who reach the age of 100, Dr. John Mach of Evercare conducted a poll.
Evercare is an organization that provides care programs for the elderly and disabled. Dr. Mach and his team at Evercare surveyed 100 people who were 99 years and older. The results of the survey revealed that keeping up with technology played an important role in healthy aging.
Keeping in touch through email and the internet were two factors that helped participants age successfully. Being able to discuss current events was another factor.
Staying connected to the world “does contribute to the overall social well-being of people which we know contributes to successful aging,” Mach said.
A healthy diet, not smoking, and being happy also scored high on the list of what is important for a healthy, long life.
And spirituality ranked high. 34% of the participants named their priest, rabbi or preacher as the person they admired or trusted most.
When asked to choose between having a better memory, fewer aches and pains, and losing weight, 34% of the centenarians said they would prefer a better memory.
Aging successfully is a hot topic these days, with the estimated population of seniors to reach 86.7 million by 2050.
In another study scientists at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine identified three ingredients to successful aging: good health, mental and physical ability, and an active interest in life.
So what can you do to age successfully?
Get physical exercise, eat a balanced diet, and get enough sleep.
Physical exercise helps to keep your bones strong and maintains mobility in your joints. It helps maintain weight control, balance, coordination, and agility. Exercise can also give you extra energy and help you sleep better.
As far as mental exercises go, the phrase “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is completely false. Learn something new and get involved in something that interests you.
And last, keep your social contacts an active part of your life. Stay in touch with family and friends, and make sure there are people you can rely on in times of need.
Helping others, volunteer work, and using opportunities to share your knowledge and skills are all good ways to stay active in your life.
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Tags: alternative health advice, exercise
