We think it’s pretty safe to say that most people want to live longer. Maybe even living to 100. Quality of life is important, but being around to watch your kids grow up or being able to see your grandchildren and great grandchildren build their own lives would satisfy many.
We aren’t there yet; in fact we’re not even close. But check out our podcast this week to hear how some of our relatives have made it to – or close to – 100. You might even learn something to help you live a longer, healthier life.
“More and more people are living longer. In fact, people over 85 make up the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. But living to extreme old age is unusual. NIA researchers have found that exceptional longevity tends to run in some families and is supporting studies to learn more about the secrets to long, healthy life.”
-National Institute on Aging
Medical experts have spent a lot of years and plenty of money trying to get closer to solving the secret of longevity. There are plenty of obvious clues that seem to help – like maintaining a healthy lifestyle or managing stress – but there’s a lot we don’t quite know.
“If you ask, 'What is the single most important key to longevity?' I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress, and tension. And if you didn't ask me, I'd still have to say it.”
-George Burns
Is where you live and your genes the ultimate key for living to 100? We’ll explore that on this week’s podcast, taking a look at some of the top places in the world with the largest number of people making it to the century mark.
One place that’s not on the list is where one of our grandparents lived, on an island she never left. Hear her story and much more on Happy & Free with Val and Dan.
