8 tips to live to 100 | Ohio State Alumni Magazine (2024)

FAQs

What's the secret to living to 100 years old? ›

Eating right, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and de-stressing can stretch the expiration date for many of us to around 90, Perls says.

The number one thing experts recommended was to keep your body active. That's because study after study has shown that exercise reduces the risk of premature death. Physical activity keeps the heart and circulatory system healthy and provides protection against numerous chronic diseases that affect the body and mind.

They primarily eat a variety of in-season fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains and beans. Eat animal foods sparingly – When they do eat animal-based foods, such as meat, eggs, fish and dairy, they are used to flavor dishes rather than being the main focus of the meal or are enjoyed as celebratory foods.

London | The world's oldest man says the secret to his long life is luck, moderation – and fish and chips every Friday. Englishman John Alfred Tinniswood, 111, has been confirmed as the new holder of the title by Guinness World Records.

Even though BMI remains the go-to measurement of body health, research suggests that paying attention to waist measurements may be more accurate. Specifically, research into WHR points to why pear-shaped people tend to live longer than apple-shaped people, even if their overall weights and heights are comparable.

The researchers calculated that people who adhered to five things—drink no more than one glass of alcohol per day (two for men), maintain a healthy body weight, eat a high-quality diet, abstain from smoking, and exercise at a moderate-to-vigorous pace (think a brisk walk, at least) for 30 minutes or more a day—had a ...

But you have to do more than just lay in bed longer — you also need have to have an uninterrupted, restful sleep more often than not. That means you don't wake up during the night or have trouble falling asleep more than two times a week. You also have to feel well rested at least five days a week when you wake up.

It's one of the most extensive longitudinal studies in the world. And it has found that having close relationships is the best predictor of longevity — and helps delay mental and physical decline. That's reassuring for retirees who are surrounded by loving family and friends.

What increases life expectancy the most? ›

Therefore centenarians, age 100-104 occurred at a rate of 1 per 2,200 in the population, semi-supercentenarians at a rate of 1 per 34,000 and supercentenarians at a rate of 1 per 871,600 in the population.

Walking is Malcom Idelson's number one tip for longevity, and it's an exercise he's done for years. “I try to walk every day, without excuse,” says Idelson, who's 94. “I look forward to it. I'm often a little down and I say, 'Let me get out and walk,' and I feel so much better,” he says.

Genetics plays a huge role in our longevity. While getting to age 90 is roughly 30 percent genetics and 70 percent health behaviors, Perls says by age 110 it's likely the opposite, or 70 percent genetic.

There are approximately 722,000 centenarians living in the world today, and as of 2024, there were roughly 108,000 seniors who are 100 years old or more in the United States.