Ok, so I can’t guarantee that you will live to be 100 and beyond, but here is some jolly good advice on how to live to be 100 from some actual people who have made it to that amazing milestone. How to live to 100…… Here goes…….

Did you know that the average age that people live at the moment is 80. This is mainly due to better medicine and more people are leading healthier lifestyles than they did in the past and this also helps to ward off diseases.

Want to live past 100? Forget the fountain of youth, supplements, and procedures. The key to living a long and prosperous life and even how to live to be 100 may be much simpler than that.

While genes play about a 25% role in longevity, there are things you can do to help incorporate healthy lifestyle habits to promote a long, and prosperous life.

How To Live To Be 100

Have A Sense Of Purpose

It’s hard to live without a goal in life or a purpose. Even after retirement, it’s crucial that you stay closely connected to family and your community. Living with, or near, your kids, gardening, learning something new, or joining a local club.

Volunteering is also a great way to foster a sense of purpose. Getting a pet is also a great idea. Those who have pets are less likely to get depressed or lonely. They also can stay more physically fit, especially if it is a dog that needs walking every day.

Less Stress

Learning how to relieve stress is one of the best ways to prevent diseases and reduce inflammation. You can take a walk, listen to music, or just talk to friends.

Meditation and yoga are also 2 of the most fundamental ways to relieve stress and reduce the cortisol in the blood.

Remember that smoking and excessive alcohol consumption increase stress levels. So if you’re a smoker, quit today. And if you drink, make sure you have not more than 2 glasses each day if you have to.

Good Eating Habits

I am sure that you know by now that you should be eating fruits and vegetables each day, reducing fat, salt, and sugar intake. Take supplements and multivitamins, especially calcium and vitamin D, which slow down bone loss and boost the immune system.

Did you know that a seafood-rich diet supplies you with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which might help lengthen your life?

Also, consider eating more whole grains. Whole grains like wheat, barley, and rye deliver essential nutrients with life-lengthening benefits.

Studies published in 2015 In BMC Medicine show that eating more whole grains reduces the risk of death from the following: Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, and even Respiratory diseases.  Most people die from a disease, so warding off these diseases is crucial to longevity.

More Sleep

The European Heart Journal published several studies which all agreed on one find; those who slept less than 6 hours a night for prolonged periods of time doubled their risk of heart attack, stroke, and premature death.

The National Sleep Foundation has some tips on how to get a better night’s sleep:

• Set the thermostat between 60 – 67 degrees.
• Make the room as dark as you can stand it.
• Practice going to sleep and waking up at the same time.
• An hour before going to sleep, refrain from watching TV or looking at your phone.
• If your mattress is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with a new one.

Drink More Water

Staying hydrated keeps cells hydrated and plump which means smooth, youthful-looking skin. It also helps clean out the bladder colon and kidneys.

Water enhances concentration skills and maintains the cardiovascular system.

Adequate intake of water also helps keep your joints healthy and flexible.

As an added bonus: water helps you lose weight because it helps you stay full longer, helping you eat up to 200 fewer calories per day.

Exercise

In 1997, a French woman, Jeanne Calment, died at the ripe old age of 122. When she was 85, she started fencing lessons and when she was 100 years old, she was still riding a bike.

Working out regularly keeps your body free from chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart problems, and cancer, among others. When you pack on extra weight, you increase your risk for diseases that can affect the quality of your life.

Get a good balance of cardio and weight baring exercises. Stretching is also especially beneficial as you age to keep your body agile.

Exercise shouldn’t be just about keeping fit physically, but mentally as well. Challenge your mind by doing crossword puzzles, word searches, or math games like Suduko. You can also read or try to learn a new skill that you enjoy, but that challenges you at the same time.

Be Socially Active

If you want to burn off an extra 500 calories, try working out with a buddy or in a group. Maintaining social ties with friends, family, and your community can ward off depression. It also boosts the immune system, wards off diseases, lowers cholesterol levels, and adds life to your years.

At the end of the day, when it comes to how to live to a 100, living for many years isn’t about accumulating numbers, it’s about being positive, not dwelling on your difficulties, and having a zest for life.

Personality

Another factor that might play a role in how long you live is your personality.

People who live longer tend to have these common personality traits: They’re conscientious, extraverted, and agreeable. In other words, those who are responsible, organized, sociable, and can get along with others tend to live longer.

People who live longer also seem to have very positive mindsets and are always turning bad situations into good ones. I am sure you all know people like this.

So let’s challenge ourselves to live healthier, happier, and longer lives. After all, it doesn’t look that difficult to live to be 100.