by Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
I’d like to share an interesting article I read recently, An obituary, actually. The world’s oldest man died last Thursday, at age 114. His name was Walter Breuning, and he lived in Great Falls, Montana. While a long way from Pittsburgh, his secrets are those from which we can all learn.
While no guarantee for a long and healthy life, here’s some of his personal advice: (1) eat two meals a day; (2) help other people; and (3) embrace change. Simple advice, but hard to follow for a lifetime.
He found a good way to manage his weight, by limiting his frequency of eating (which from a nutritional point of view is fine). Fred Astaire, who died when he was nearly 90 – and still dancing until the end – was also a member of the two meals a day club! This is not a recipe for success, but a take-home message that weight control is one factor tied to longevity, and it’s important to follow a plan that works for you.
Helping other people is a key factor of social connection and a positive mindset. While he was not of the generation of Facebook and Twitter, Mr. Breuning stayed engaged with volunteerism. Stay connected in ways that are meaningful to you.
Perhaps most importantly, is the ability to embrace change, and be adaptable. Learn to accept that this is not a perfect world, and we must all be flexible and “roll with the punches.”
No matter what your age – do you have any personal suggestions for a long life?
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