Wednesday, April 15, 2009

4 Ways to Live Past 100

Each Wednesday in April the Daily Tip will cover aspects of aging gracefully, courtesy of Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging.
If living a long life is important, you may want to adopt some of the habits that supercentenarians have in common. Supercentenarians - people who live to be 110 or older - share four common characteristics that may support their long life spans. Throughout their lives, they have remained:
Physically active. Even as you get older, daily physical activity should be a priority. Modify your routine to incorporate small steps, such as daily walks, using the stairs instead of the elevator, or taking up hobbies that involve exercise, such as gardening, playing tennis or hiking.
Positive. Maintaining an optimistic outlook is important to managing stress and preventing related health issues such as heart disease. You can easily train yourself to start looking at the glass as half full. Begin with some simple self-reflection and meditation, and use humor for coping with negative thoughts.
Social. A network of family and close friends is vital to optimum health. You can enjoy the benefits of a well developed social life by spending time with people who make you happy, joining community groups or clubs, volunteering, and participating in support groups. The DrWeil.com Community is a wonderful place to make connections with like-minded people.
Spiritual. Regardless of your religious affiliation (if any), feeling a connection with nature, a higher being or purpose cultivates spirituality, and is an important part of graceful aging.

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