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DO you want to reach 100 and receive a telegram from the Queen? Then you might want to read on.
Some places on the planet have more centenarians than others. And, according to new research, the long-lived residents tend to share qualities in common.
In Okinawa, in Japan, and Sardinia, in Italy, for example, gentle everyday exercise, such as walking, cycling and mowing the lawn, is commonplace.
And people there choose simple ways to de-stress, which helps to reduce the chronic inflammation that is linked with most age-related diseases.
From drinking red wine, considered by some to benefit the heart, to being involved in a faith community, the locals know how to take time for themselves.
Eating less, and more of the right things, such as the staples of the Mediterranean diet, is a shared pattern.
However, it’s important for older people to maintain a healthy weight and not become too thin.
And a sense of purpose certainly helps, according to the latest Blue Zones study by health and happiness researchers Nick and Dan Buettner.
The study also showed that people who are close to friends and family are likely to be happier and healthier for longer than those who feel isolated.
So next time you think of visiting loved ones, especially your older relatives, don’t put it off. It might even help to boost your own longevity as well as theirs!