[Stephanie Agunat]

Want to live to 100? An expert divulged the top 5 lifestyle tweaks you should make​

‘Live longer’ is a dream shared by many of us, yet it can seem out of our grasp. But age really is just a number, and with the right lifestyle and diet, the milestone of reaching 100 years can be a reality!

Christianne Wolff, a celebrated author, has enthusiastically shared five longevity tips from her latest book, The Healed State. Let’s take a look at her top five recommendations for boosting your lifespan.

A colourful array of probiotic-rich foods is a ticket to a happy gut and overall well-being.MicrobioticSource: BigBlueTest

1. Microbiome diet

A healthy diet is always a necessity when it comes to achieving a long and healthy life. While junk food, alcohol, sugar, and fatty foods should be avoided, Wolff recommends 'feeding your microbiome' with a range of probiotic foods like kombucha, sauerkraut, live yoghurt, tempeh, kimchi, miso and kefir. Additionally, foods with antioxidant compounds, including cacao, pomegranates, berries, almonds and spinach, can assist your microbiome and longevity.

2. Optimism

Believe it or not, keeping a positive attitude can actually make you live longer! According to Wolff, optimism can reduce your chance of early death by up to 40 per cent. So whether it’s focusing on the positives instead of the negatives or practising mindfulness or contemplation, it’s time to think positively about living long!

3. Better sleep

We know that sleep is really important when it comes to feeling our best – but did you know that improved sleep is also beneficial for a longer life? Wolff said, 'We do most of our healing in our sleep, so if we don't sleep well, we can’t repair well.' Poor sleep is linked to a host of health problems, so try to wind down and get 7-8 hours of rest when you can.

4. Breathwork

Beyond its role in calming the mind and improving lung capacity, breathwork offers more significant benefits. According to the Framingham Study, individuals with a greater lung capacity tend to live longer. Fortunately, we have the means to enhance our lung capacity through breathwork, exercise, and meditation.

5. Meditation

Reducing stress and mitigating stress-related diseases isn't the only benefit associated with the practice; it appears that cultivating longer telomeres, a key indicator of ageing and longevity, can result from certain activities, potentially leading to increased well-being and a longer lifespan.

Key Takeaways

• Leading a healthy lifestyle, which includes a positive mindset and good sleep, can help prevent many chronic health problems and increase longevity.
• Consuming foods packed with beneficial bacteria, such as kombucha, sauerkraut, live yoghurt, tempeh, kimchi, and kefir, can boost your gut health.
• Simple practices like breathwork and meditation not only increase lung capacity and reduce stress but also help prolong lifespan.
• According to Wolff, the length of telomeres, the end cap of our DNA, is a significant determinant of ageing and longevity – and this can be influenced by practices like meditation.

Different types of meditation techniques and their benefits

The term 'meditation' may conjure images of monks in ancient temples, but the truth is there are diverse types of meditation that can provide benefits to your health with a side of serene relaxation.

Mindful meditation is a technique that encourages a sharp focus on the moment as it passes by, heightening awareness of the ever-changing sensory perceptions. Mindful meditation urges us to live in the present, away from the distractions and stress of the fast-paced world.

Transcendental meditation, pioneered by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, is a renowned technique that involves the silent repetition of a singular word or phrase, called a mantra. The goal is to slip into a state of deep tranquillity, just within your reach and yet delightfully elusive. According to some studies, employing this method can help reduce blood pressure and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Could yoga help you live longer? Source: Namaste Nourished

Kundalini yoga is a vibrant blend of movement, dynamic breathing techniques, meditation, and mantras. This refreshing form of meditation can instigate a feeling of an internal awakening. Aside from increasing physical strength and flexibility, it can also enhance mental resilience.

Vipassana is one of the oldest methods, focusing on the deep interconnection between mind and body, reached through disciplined attention to physical sensations. Its proponents claim it can provide profound insights about yourself and the world around you.

Lastly, there is movement meditation. This might involve walking through the bush, gardening, or any other gentle form of motion. It's an active form of meditation where the movement guides you. As well it can keep the mind calm and quiet while also promoting physical strength.
So there you have it – five lifestyle tweaks that can up your chances of reaching a magnificent 100 years!

Members, if you have any tips or stories of your own to share, then please let us know in the comments below.

 

[Jo Piper3]

100?

 

[Ezzy]

I had 2 friends who reached 100 years old, may they rest in peace.

Not sure if either followed those recommendations.

 

[Joseph Gallina]

The advice is pretty good and most of us would agree with it. Are you one of those that are genetically disposed to a healthy long life or are you one of those that isn't'. We don't know, however a lifestyle full of the right foods, exercise, engagement, and many other good habits will in many instances switch off our genetics to ill health. A lifestyle opposite to that will switch it on. Just because someone is genetically disposed to a particular disease does not mean it is inevitable that they will get it. It's how you live your life that will bring it on (e.g. if you have Diabetes in the family, then eliminate all sugar and go low carb). Of course, we can't say that living a good lifestyle will improve 100% of all cases, but you should never die wondering.