Living Longer, Living Better: Inspiring Stories of Centenarians Who Defy the Odds
Living Longer, Living Better: Inspiring Stories of Centenarians Who Defy the Odds
In today’s society, we witness an increase in life expectancy globally. A century ago, it was rare to see a person live beyond 65 or 70 years of age. However, in the present world, it is not uncommon for us to come across people who have crossed the century-mark.
The advancement of medical science and the availability of various modern medicines contribute to this trend of people living longer. But it is not science alone that is responsible for people living longer. Many people have achieved this feat through their lifestyle choices and approaches towards life.
Let us delve into the lives of some inspiring centenarians who offer us invaluable lessons for successfully achieving longevity.
Emma Morano
Emma Morano, born in 1899, was known to be the oldest living person in the world, and she passed away in 2017 at the age of 117. She was a resident of Verbania, Italy.
Morano claimed that her long life is across three factors: not marrying, getting rid of her stressful husband, and regularly eating raw eggs. She attributed her long life mainly to genetics, as her mother also lived an extended life.
Morano’s story offers us an essential lesson. Letting go of stressful relationships and leading a stress-free life can contribute to living longer.
Jiroemon Kimura
Jiroemon Kimura was born in 1897 and was the oldest recorded male person in the world until he died in 2013 at the age of 116. A resident of Japan, he had four children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
Kimura’s life offers us lessons on the significance of having a positive outlook on life, staying active with the community, working frequently, having a consistent sleeping pattern, and eating reasonably.
According to Kimura, the key to a long life is to remain positive, be open to new things, and avoid overindulging in any type of food. He made a habit of waking up early, eating modestly, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Jeanne Calment
Jeanne Calment was born in 1875, and she passed away in 1997, making her the oldest person to have ever lived at the recorded age of 122. She lived her entire life in France.
Calment claimed that her long life was due to her diet, which included a lot of olive oil, red wine, and chocolate. She was also a regular smoker until the age of 117.
Calment’s story offers us some crucial life lessons. A moderate consumption of various food items that are valuable to the body can have a positive impact on longevity. Calment’s story also highlights the point that genetics may play an important role in determining lifespan.
Louise Calment
Louise Calment, born in 1828, was the oldest person at the time of her death in 1997 at the age of 122. She was the daughter of Jeanne Calment and lived most of her life in the same city as her mother, Arles, France.
Like her mother, Louise claimed that her long life was due to her positive attitude, enjoying life, a healthy and active lifestyle, and having a strong relationship with her family.
FAQs
1. What is the definition of successful aging?
Successful aging refers to the process of growing old while maintaining good physical, mental, and emotional health, and remaining active and engaged in the community.
2. What are some factors that contribute to successful aging?
Factors that contribute to successful aging are physical exercise, balanced diet, social relationships, sleep, positive emotional states, and purposeful and meaningful activities.
3. Is living longer necessarily synonymous with living a better life?
No, living longer is not synonymous with living a better life. Longer life does not always correlate with an enjoyable or fulfilled life. Quality of life should be the primary focus rather than length of life.
4. Can genetics play an important role in longevity?
Yes, genetics can play an important role in longevity. Studies suggest that lifespan-related genes account for approximately 25% to 30% of the variation in life expectancy.
5. What is the importance of good sleeping patterns in successful aging?
Good sleeping patterns are crucial for successful aging. Sleep helps repair the body and mind, improve memory, and maintain a healthy immune system. A consistent and sufficient sleep pattern can improve physical and mental health, reducing the risk of several chronic illnesses.
In summary, the stories of the centenarians mentioned above show us that living a long and healthy life can be attributed to a balanced diet, exercise, a positive outlook on life, avoiding stress, a consistent sleeping pattern, and genetics. Living longer is not necessarily the primary objective; living healthier and more fulfilling lives should be the focus. By adopting simple measures, we can attain a healthy and hopeful future, as shown by the inspiring stories of these centenarians.
