Top 9 Life Lessons From 100 Year Olds

[dynamo]

This article was written by Greg Thurston (http://www.higherperspectives.com/100-year-olds-2533825169.html), Creator of 7 Minute Mindfulness (http://bit.ly/EasyMindfulness).

Watching videos of centurions, you start to see a theme: they seem content. That might be shocking to younger people, especially anyone who fears old age.

Maybe we fear missing out on opportunities in life, and worry that we'll find ourselves too old to do things. But we have many interviews of people 100 and older, and they love to share about their lives and offer advice to the rest of us.

Dr. Mercola (http://humansarefree.com/2014/02/shocking-connection-97-of-all-terminal.html) interviewed three centurions for this very information, and many other people have as well.


https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-agymek15V3c/Wv_-0x0ypzI/AAAAAAAAupY/zg11jbdcje0nywMFBbtuUAVZniS-eDxtwCLcBGAs/s1600/100%2Byear%2Bold%2B-%2Bold%2Bsoul%2B-%2Bspirituality%2B-%2Bwise%2Bwisdom.png (https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-agymek15V3c/Wv_-0x0ypzI/AAAAAAAAupY/zg11jbdcje0nywMFBbtuUAVZniS-eDxtwCLcBGAs/s1600/100%2Byear%2Bold%2B-%2Bold%2Bsoul%2B-%2Bspirituality%2B-%2Bwise%2Bwisdom.png)

Quite a few of us (more now than ever) have relatives or know someone who is 100 or over. One lady I know who is 104 is full of sassy attitude and enjoys talking to people.

From this wealth of information, we can form the following nine lessons:

1. Happiness comes from what we do

At 100 years old, or older, people don't seem to sit around and smile about the things they accumulated in life.

Rather, it's more about their life experiences. Happy memories can go a long ways toward happiness later on! One man over 100 years old said he did all he wanted to do.

Now he wants to be helpful and keep going. "I have so many beautiful memories," said a woman over 100. "I got to do all the things I wanted to."

That tells us to jump in and live life - remember that it's about really living and making memories with people we love.

Science backs this up as well. We know people derive more happiness that is long-term from experiences such as vacations rather than from possessions.

2. Happiness comes from a positive attitude and optimism

People over 100 seem to remember life through rose tinted glasses, making it sound like an adventure even through hard times, like war.

"I've always been lucky," says one centurion despite living through 2 great wars! She also talked about how "everything makes me happy. I love talking to people... going shopping."

Common advice from people who are doing well at 100 is to "Decide to be content." Others say, "Don't chase happiness. Just be satisfied."

Deciding life is good changes our perception and makes life better, and apparently it helps you live much longer!

3. Happiness comes from living in the NOW

Age is only a number. You live for the day and keep going. This is wisdom from someone with a very long past-but they enjoy the present.

The past is the past; we can't change it. But we can rob ourselves of our present happiness and good emotional health by hanging onto old regrets, grudges, and pain.

To experience the ultimate feelings of inner calm and living in the now, I highly recommend that you follow this link: Click Here (http://bit.ly/EasyMindfulness) to discover 7 minute mindfulness.

You'll gain inner peace, happiness and feel 'uncluttered' in your life.

4. Love and Partnership is critical for long life

Centurions often talk about their "good" marriage, all their happy memories, and all their good times together.

It's another area where they might be applying rose-tinted glasses, but it's apparent that they got emotional support and felt like they have a life partner.

They also say that people today give up too easily these days-so there was hard work involved, but at the end of their life that part isn't really important anymore.

"Being happily married and happy in general is the remedy for all illness."

We don't have studies on how marriage or long-term relationships affect life span, but you don't have to be a scientist to take note: centurions all speak about their decades long marriage with a smile on their face.

Even people who have been widowed for a few decades say they have many, many warm memories about their married life, and that still makes them happy.

5. Eat natural, real food to feel good and live long

Many people who are 100 say they feel strong and like they're 69 or 79. These are the people who stay active physically and mentally, and have a lot to share with other people.

Many people over 100 talk about eating fresh food that they grew themselves. And older people will tell you over and over: eat in moderation!

6. Learn to adapt for a better and longer life

"Life goes on regardless" is a common theme. People who live well into old age understand that there is hardship in life but they know life goes on and they must too.

If you live 7, 8, 9, 10 or more decades, you're going to see a lot of change.

People who adapt and change with the times do better. It's part of having a positive attitude-they're excited for new opportunities instead of fearing change.

7. Help others

Helping others (http://humansarefree.com/search?q=help+others) is one way to build relationships and connections, and it makes you feel great. It's another common theme among people who live to be over 100.

Being kind and helping others gives you a sense of purpose too, and it fights depression and anxiety. Not only that, it's a way of staying active and productive after you retire.

It's a win-win for everyone involved, and being older and retired can mean having more time for volunteering.

8. Always learn!

Older people (http://humansarefree.com/2015/11/old-souls-knowledge-of-your-eternal-self.html) will advise to get a good education to help you go far in life, and science has shown that people with a Bachelor's degree actually do live about a decade longer than people who don't have one. (From the U.S. Centers for Disease an Control Prevention)

Older people will tell you to keep learning all through life, both in and out of school.

Be curious-it makes life more interesting and fun. And it helps you stay engaged with life and the changing technology and times. That helps you adapt too.

9. Practice Mindfulness

People over 100 tend to live in the moment as it comes, rather than worrying about plans, regrets, and getting caught up in pressure and worry.

They cherish special time with family and friends, the colors and smell of a new flower in spring, or the feel of the grass on their feet.

When life is enjoyed in the moment, it's just better and people who live in the moment more tend to live longer, happier lives!

[Bassplayer1]

This is a lovely uplifting post. Thank you Dynamo xxx

[conk]

These people are a great example of human potential. Studies of areas called Blue Zones clearly demonstrate the great benefits of eating cleanly, being social, being selfless and grateful. Poor food choices and daily stress have set the human race back tremendously, at least in the West.

[Bill Ryan]

Here are the life lessons from a 256-year old. (No, not a joke. I'm as sure as I can be that this man was real, as was his extremely long life.)

“Keep a quiet heart, sit like a tortoise, walk sprightly like a pigeon, and sleep like a dog.”


http://healthfreedoms.org/the-oldest-man-in-the-world-256-reveals-his-secrets-before-his-death


http://cdnez.healthfreedoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/lichingyuenfeat_tn.jpg

What is the longest a person has ever lived for? Meet Li Ching Yuen, a man who lived an astonishing 256 years! And no, this is not a myth or a fictional tale.

According to a 1930 New York Times article, Wu Chung-chieh, a professor of the Chengdu University, discovered Imperial Chinese government records from 1827 congratulating Li Ching-Yuen on his 150th birthday, and further documents later congratulating him on his 200th birthday in 1877. In 1928, a New York Times correspondent wrote that many of the old men in Li’s neighborhood asserted that their grandfathers knew him when they were boys, and that he at that time was a grown man.

Li Ching Yuen reportedly began his herbalist career at the age of 10, where he gathered herbs in mountain ranges and learned of their potency for longevity. For almost 40 years, he survived on a diet of herbs such as lingzhi, goji berry, wild ginseng, he shoo wu and gotu kola and rice wine. In 1749, at the age of 71, he joined the Chinese armies as teacher of martial arts. Li was said to be a much-loved figure in his community, marrying 23 times and fathering over 200 children.

According to the generally accepted tales told in his province, Li was able to read and write as a child, and by his tenth birthday had traveled in Kansu, Shansi, Tibet, Annam, Siam and Manchuria gathering herbs. For the first hundred years he continued at this occupation. Then he switched to selling herbs gathered by others. He sold lingzhi, goji berry, wild ginseng, he shou wu and gotu kola along with other Chinese herbs, and lived off a diet of these herbs and rice wine.

He Wasn’t The Only One

According to one of Li’s disciples, he had once encountered an even older 500-year-old man, who taught him Qigong exercises and dietary recommendations that would help him extend his lifespan to superhuman proportions. Apart from Qigong and a herb-rich diet, what else can we learn from this Master of Longevity?

How about this: On his death bed, Li famously said, “I have done all that I have to do in this world”. Could his peaceful last words also hint at one of the biggest secrets to a long and prosperous life? It’s interesting to note that in the West, we’re often taught to believe that aging is something that must be “beaten” with high tech infrared devices and state of the art medication.

His Secret To Long Health:

Li was asked what his secret was to longevity. This was his reply: “Keep a quiet heart, sit like a tortoise, walk sprightly like a pigeon and sleep like a dog.” These were the words of advice Li gave to Wu Pei-fu, the warlord, who took Li into his house to learn the secret of extremely long life.

Li maintained that inward calm and peace of mind combined with breathing techniques were the secrets to incredible longevity. Obviously, his diet would have played a large role. But its fascinating that the old living person in recorded history attributes his long life to his state of mind.

Why Is This So Hard To Believe?

With the average lifespan for the Western world currently sitting between 70-85 years, the thought of someone living over 100 years old seems like quite the stretch. The thought of someone living over 200 years old seems extremely suspicious. But why don’t we believe that people can live this long?

We have to keep in mind that some people in this world don’t live a grueling 9-5 lifestyle, they don’t have to deal with the stresses of debt, they aren’t breathing polluted city air, and they exercise regularly. They don’t eat refined sugars or flour, or any foods that have had pesticides sprayed on them. They aren’t living off of the standard American diet.

They aren’t eating fatty meats, sugary deserts, and genetically modified foods. No antibiotics. No alcohol and no tobacco. Their diets not only exclude junk foods that we so often indulge in, they also include superfoods and herbs which are like steroids for our organs and immune system.

They also spend their spare time in nature practicing breathing techniques and meditating which have been proven to improve mental, physical, and emotional health. They keep things simple, get proper sleep, and spend a great deal of time in nature under the sun. When we get a chance to relax in the sun, we feel instantly rejuvenated and call this a “vacation”. Imagine spending a lifetime doing that in the mountains, and combining that with perfect mental, spiritual, and physical well-being.

I do not doubt for a minute that if we all did the things we knew we were supposed to do, that living to be 100 years old would be commonplace. When we treat our bodies right, who knows how long we can live for?

[Orph]

“Keep a quiet heart, sit like a tortoise, walk sprightly like a pigeon, and sleep like a dog.”

Li was said to be a much-loved figure in his community, marrying 23 times and fathering over 200 children.


"Sit like a tortoise, walk like a pigeon, and sleep like a dog". And apparently have sex like a rabbit should be added to that as well. Do the math.

Just suppose that the average life-span is 50 years. And just suppose the average number of children a man might sire in that lifetime is 5. (I'm just making up numbers). So in my scenario, this man lived the equivalent of 5 lifetimes. So we could expect him to sire somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 kids.

This guy was averaging about 40 kids "per lifetime". Now consider, not every time with a lady produces a baby. Soooooooooo, to produce 200 kids means his fun with the ladies must've been off the charts.

Dude had staying power, that's for sure.

[Isserley]

Li was said to be a much-loved figure in his community, marrying 23 times and fathering over 200 children..

To have 23 marriages behind him and so many children, sounds pretty stressful experience to me..
But again, all the circumstances of his life must be taken into consideration and the fact that we are today inclined to "invent" the stress around one marriage and one child .. :argue:

[Lunesoleil]

A beautiful lesson in humility
:wizard:

[Bill Ryan]

A true story. When I first visited Ecuador in January 2009, it was to speak at a conference at Brian O'Leary's house in Vilcabamba. During a break, some of the delegates — but alas, not myself, as I missed this! — went into the village.

There, they were lucky enough to meet one of the famous centenarians, a man who was 120 years old. Via a translator, they had a brief conversation with him. One of them asked him: "Is there anything you'd wish for in your life now?"

The man paused to think, and then replied: "Yes, I'd love to be 100 years old again."

:)

[Anka]

Just to strengthen people's belief that they are strong, I know that there are an enormous number of people in the world past "centennial youth" and not all are recorded in the Book of Records.
There are so many explanations for the longevity, from a cup of vegetables a day to good air loaded with negative ions, genetic sequences, communion with nature and happiness in life.:flower:

The oldest man in Romania was born in Napoleon's time when there was no telegraph and died when the soviet nations were preparing for the conquest of outer space. He also went through most of the important wars of the last two centuries of the millennium, from the Russian-Turkish war to the war of Independence, the Balkan war, the First World War and the Second World War, living all kinds of semi-regimes, such comparisons really provide the dimension of truly impressive quality of life spark.:heart:

Those who knew him describe him as tall and "strong as two buffaloes", and at the age of 120 he carried 12 meters long beams over a distance of three miles. He ate as many as three Romanians together, slept outside, both in summer and in winter, walked bare-chested, even in blizzard weather, in a peasant cloth shirt, but was never ill.
It is said that because of the scientists who often visited him monitoring and being in the "care of a research center" that scared him all the time, died at the age of 148.

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse1.explicit.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.DWQzhiSXqYHa3N47YbTf5wHaEL%26pid%3DApi&f=1

[Bill Ryan]

And here's a video, perfect for this thread. :heart:

Life Lessons from 100-Year-Old Americans who didn't expect to Live so Long


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzQhtsTdHhM

[gini]

All my life ive been facinated by people and peoples like the Hunza's ,the Vilcabamba people,some Caucasions and some other isolated tribes which produced a lot of people living above 100 sometimes up to 160 years old and even some tribes -like the Hunza - didnt know any sickness!

Everytime these tribes came in touch with modern "civilization" the age of death immidietly went down dramatically and health issues (like dental infections) skyrocketed due mainly to change of diet & lifestyle.

i noticed that by studying the diet of centenarians that there is not a particular common element init exept moderation,it seems that it doesnt matter much what is the diet-vegetarian,vegan,carnivore , proteine rich or poor ,alcohol or even smoking(a woman of 115 was asked why she quit smoking said "when i was a hundred years old my eyesight was getting so bad that i could not see the lighter anymore so i quit smoking") but that moderation is key,wich reminds me to the Buddha who taught to walk the middle way as the right way to liberation.

[Bill Ryan]

All my life I've been fascinated by people and peoples like the Hunzas, the Vilcabamba people, some Caucasians and some other isolated tribes which produced a lot of people living above 100 sometimes up to 160 years old

I originally posted this on a 2017 thread titled Vilcabamba Centenarians: 45 people over 110 years old (https://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?97651-Vilcabamba-Centenarians-45-people-over-110-years-old).

~~~

Here's a photo that was taken in 1990, in Vilcabamba, of a group of 45 people all more than 110 years old.

http://projectavalon.net/Vilcabamba_centenarians_sm.jpg

It's a cleaned up photo of a photo (which I saw hanging in a small Vilcabamba hotel), which is why there seems to be a bit of pixellation. The high resolution image, well worth examining (some of these wonderful people look younger than I am!), is here:

http://projectavalon.net/Vilcabamba_centenarians.jpg

[Bill Ryan]

A terrific new article posted on Zero Hedge, almost exactly reflecting the theme of this thread: :heart:


https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/lessons-longest-living-among-us

Lessons From The Longest-Living Among Us

Sister Pacis Bao spent 31 years longing for revenge against the communists who murdered her family—then made a decision at age 79 that may have added 25 years to her life. The 104-year-old nun turned from hatred to forgiveness, which put her mind and body at ease.

https://assets.zerohedge.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/image_92%28193%29_1.jpg?itok=J4ihPoULSister Pacis Bao embodies many traits of a "superager," keeping her days busy with prayer, artwork, and social connections in the convent where she lives.

Bao is thriving as part of the fastest-growing demographic worldwide: centenarians—people who live past 100.

Life expectancy is generally on the rise, with one in six people worldwide age 60 and over—a rate expected to double by 2050, according to the World Health Organization. Among older adults, those who reach 80 and whose cognitive and physical abilities exceed typical age-related decline are called “superagers.”

Sue Wright, a 98-year-old Midwestern woman with little in common with Bao, is also thriving as a superager.

The two women are quietly practicing the very insight researchers are racing to understand—what helps humans thrive beyond 100.

Aim for Goldilocks Sleep

Both women maintain consistent sleep schedules. Bao goes to sleep by 8 p.m. every night, wakes at 5 a.m., and rests every afternoon—a rhythm that reflects best-practice data and her own needs. Wright follows a similar pattern.

Their routines reflect what researchers call “Goldilocks sleep”—not too much, not too little, and of good quality.

Sleeping less than seven hours a night has been associated with a 14 percent increased risk of all-cause mortality, according to a meta-analysis (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11357-025-01592-y#Sec15) published in GeroScience.

The biological effects are significant: chronic low-grade inflammation, impaired immune function, hormonal imbalances, increased blood pressure, and reduced clearance of proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

“While this study focused on sleep duration, sleep quality is another critical factor influencing mortality risk,” the authors wrote. They added that poor sleep—marked by frequent wake-ups and restless nights—has been linked to heart problems, memory decline, and other brain disorders.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Bao has never been overweight, though she indulges in potstickers and egg rolls on occasion, and enjoys a few bites of ice cream after dinner. Wright, who weighs 119 pounds now, never weighed more than 130 pounds outside of her two pregnancies.

Being overweight or obese is associated with all causes of mortality, even among those who never smoked or had chronic disease, according to a study (https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(16)30175-1/fulltext) of nearly 4 million people spanning four continents published in The Lancet. Another study (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5817436/#H1-3-JOI170055) published in JAMA found that people who gained more than 66 pounds between early and middle adulthood had higher rates of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity-related cancer.

The authors noted that while people and their doctors often dismiss excess weight gain in midlife, it has serious longevity implications.

A meta-analysis (https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2019/10180/the_association_between_weight_fluctuation_and.32.aspx) of 15 studies published in Medicine found that weight fluctuations elevate the risk of all-cause mortality, lending credibility to the scale as a way to monitor and maintain a healthy weight.

Flex Your Brain

Just as weight can begin causing problems before the golden years, so can issues like memory, attention, and perception.

“Longitudinal studies have shown that midlife is a critical period for the beginning of the pathology of cognitive disorders,” wrote the authors of a review (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6776218/#:~:text=(13%2C%2014)%2C%20successful,with%20subjective%20and%20objective%20aspects.) on successful aging published in Acta Biomedica. They noted that frequent use of memory and attention, as well as challenging the brain in other ways, may explain why some older people experience higher cognitive functioning.

Those who enjoy a range of brain-stimulating activities—reading, writing, and playing games—across their lifetimes may prevent the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, a leading cause of death worldwide, according to a study (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/1149704?utm_source) published in JAMA Neurology.

Both Bao and Wright have kept active schedules, even after stopping 9-to-5 work, and keeping busy hands. They read, play games, and help others in need.

They also both surround themselves with a positive social circle—another factor that can protect the brain. A study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40660753/) published in Alzheimer’s Dementia found that those with strong midlife relationships had a lower dementia risk compared to those with poor relationships.

Flex Your Muscles, Too

Centenarians don’t need to lift weights, though retaining muscle mass leads to better heart function, mobility, and balance, and prevents Type 2 diabetes.

An article (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6125071/) about the blue zones noted that the world’s longest-living people often move because of necessity, fun, and function. They grow gardens, don’t rely on mechanical conveniences, and accumulate thousands of steps each day without a formal plan or tracking.

Wright grew up playing basketball and baseball with her brothers, golfed regularly as an adult, and was even spotted dancing without her walker at the assisted living home where she moved a year ago after a COVID-19 infection left her with leg weakness.

“We used to go dancing all the time—went every weekend,” she said, smiling at the memory.

Fill Your Calendar

Wright’s dancing came with a lot of socializing—another hallmark of longevity. A robust social life ranked right behind good health when surveyed adults described what successful aging means to them. The findings (https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/55/1/91/574083) were reported in The Gerontologist.

The adults pointed to having friends and family, feeling supported, not being lonely, participating in social activities, and being involved with younger generations.

While Wright misses her neighborhood friends, she is enjoying regular company and staying active in her assisted living community. “I like everyone here. It’s nice to be around people you can visit with,” she said. “I do like to help others when they need help, too.”

Wright will soon be moving to a new state to be close to her son and other family. Her nieces are already planning a party for her 100th birthday.

Don’t Dwell on Your Age

Aging isn’t just an ongoing celebration. Wright has outlived two husbands and all of her friends, and suffered through the loss of a son when he was age 3.

“You think a lot about it and wonder why, but you have to accept losses and go on with life,” she said. “You just have to cope with it and try not to think about it, because we all have to go.”

Accepting aging and dying are important to living a fulfilled life, according to about one-quarter of participants in the successful aging survey. While many said reaching 80 and beyond was a lofty goal, some noted it’s important not to wish to be young again or to view aging as a punishment.

Take It Easy

Overthinking aging—or anything, for that matter—increases stress, and stress is linked to numerous diseases. The solution: regularly find a way to relax both emotionally and physically.

Although everyone experiences stress, the world’s longest-lived people have routines to shed that stress, wrote Dan Buettner and Sam Skemp, authors of the blue zones article. “Okinawans take a few moments each day to remember their ancestors; Adventists pray; Ikarians take a nap; and Sardinians do happy hour.”

In addition to praying, Bao draws and paints hummingbirds and flowers. Her hand isn’t as steady as it used to be, but that doesn’t matter. Not only does it improve her mood to make them, but it also delights her to give away her creations.

“Sometimes the people, they need cheer,” she said, adding that she likes to bless the staff at the convent. “They take good care of us, and we are sure grateful.”

Disease Can’t Always Be Avoided

Aging trends have spurred interest and research in centenarians—often considered models of aging well because they’ve managed to delay disease. Within the demographic, however, some are long-suffering with disease, while others seem to avoid disease altogether.

Researchers categorize centenarians as:


Escapers: About 15 percent who show no sign of disease at age 100.
Survivors: About 42 percent who had disease before reaching age 80.
Delayers: About 43 percent who had no age-related diseases until reaching age 80 or beyond.

Wright has kidney disease and struggles to drink enough water. She’s lost some weight and said that while she'd like to live to 100, she doesn’t plan to undergo dialysis treatments if her condition advances.

Bao moved from the independent wing of her convent to be near the nurse’s station two years ago—but not because she’s ill. The oldest resident, Bao figured it only made sense, though a convent administrator said she’s the healthiest of the residents.

Despite the rapid increase in centenarians, reaching 100 remains rare. There are about 2.6 per 10,000 people in the United States, up from 2.1 in 2020 and 1.42 in 1980.

“Day by day, Jesus is always the same to me, giving me extra help,” Bao said.

“I say to myself every day when I get up, ‘I’m grateful, and today’s going to be a good day.’”