The secret to longevity may lie in something so important such as attitude towards life, added to exercise and diet. We have had the privilege of seeing the generation of centenarians, in a 20th century plagued by hardship and with hardly any healthcare, they have managed to live years and years without any illness.
Spain is one of the countries that to date has had the highest life expectancy, including several supercentenarians. Branyas Morera is close to the Guinness record at 117 years old, among other deceased Spaniards such as Antonio Alvarado who reached the age of 110. The secret to longevity seems to be closer than we imagine.
Experts agree
The generation of the Civil War, that of the two World Wars, with non-existent healthcare and almost no resources, has lived more years than anyone else. We are in the 21st century looking toward a disease-free past. Until very recently, people who had certain serious illnesses tended to be the oldest; today, this illness does not even spare the youngest.
With everything in favor, it seems that we are going back in time. That fifth of the bottle that reached 100 years old and even surpassed this date, became an example to follow, with hardly any resources. Most of them had only gone to the doctor at the end of their days and were in enviable health.
They were the ones who had physical activities, the farmers who worked until their body told them enough. Those who followed the rhythms and cycles of nature, those who ate what they produced and went places by bicycle or on foot, regardless of the weather.
Nowadays everything has changed a lot and despite having technology on our side. We continue to search for what these men and women did to reach the age of more than 100 with all or almost all of their faculties. Some mobility, sight or hearing problems, typical of a body of that age, but essentially free of the great diseases that plague our times.
A diet that seems more balanced, without super foods or prohibited foods and an enormous capacity to work. Good food, a less sedentary society, but also a different attitude towards life.
This is the secret of longevity
The attitude towards life is one of the elements that helps to live longer, not only food or physical exercise influence it, but also the way of thinking. Our supercentarios were prepared to face all kinds of problems and they were capable of overcoming them by far.
Each and every one of them faced difficulties with a smile and was capable of achieving whatever they set out to do. In the best possible way and with the help of a series of elements that are fundamental. Emotional well-being is almost as important as physical well-being.
Taking care of emotions is essential. Surround yourself with positive people and especially those who have been able to determine what is best in life and how to put it into practice. As if we were really prepared to strengthen a series of elements that are fundamental.
That ability to discard negative emotions and practice something as simple as gratitude for a few minutes a day. Give thanks for what we have, elements that are already something to be grateful for. One more day, a family, resources that, despite being limited, mean having everything at our disposal and more to achieve it.
Science shows that group activities are essential to living longer. That game of cards or dominoes, that meeting to go for a walk or that afternoon coffee, are elements that help you live longer. Just the opposite of what we do today, perhaps we interact less with our environment than before.
Take care of your body and mind with daily moderate exercise. You can go for a walk to the cafeteria or to the friend's house with whom you play cards or go to reminisce about old times. In essence, it is important to build good social relationships, since they are what will take you where you need.
Living longer not only requires you to pay attention to your body, but also to be very present with a mind focused on happiness and gratitude. You should not dedicate yourself to things that may not give you what you need, quite the opposite. Put passion and dedication into a life that is a true gift in every sense. An attitude that can end up being the one that makes the difference