100 and Happy
Are you happy enough to live to 100 or more? "Whatever is flexible and flowing will tend to grow, whatever is rigid and blocked will wither and die."
Norman Cousins
How centenarians avoid disease is only one reason why they live so long. Studies show that centenarians have a relaxed and healthy emotional approach to life.
Download PDF (studies)
Here are some of the common characteristics of their happy, rewarding lifestyle:
- Continuing to work
- Maintaining satisfying social relationships
- Continuing to seek intellectual stimulation
- Being optimistic
- Being receptive to change, matched by high levels of adaptive energy
- Being anxiety free
- Continuing to play a role in society
- Desiring to stay alive
Keys to their positive lifestyle may include:
Good sleep
Most centenarians sleep long and well – The CR Way offers many suggestions that will help you get a good night’s sleep and learn how to take a quick rejuvenation nap if your energy wanes during the day.
Staying in good physical shape
Many centenarians remain physically active right up to 100 or more. While being physically active is important, most people want to know how much exercise to include in their lifestyle. See Chapter 8, "Getting Started."
Food for a better life!
Which of the following foods can affect your ability to concentrate?
- Turkey
- Sweet potatoes
- Beans
- Olive oil
Answer:
All of these foods can significantly affect the ability to concentrate: Turkey, and to a lesser extent beans, can increase concentration capabilities while sweet potatoes by themselves may make a person more relaxed. If eaten in excess, olive oil can slow thinking abilities in the short term, but may increase ability to concentrate over the long term. Most people do not realize that food choices affect mood, ability to concentrate, and quality of sleep. The CR Way shows how to use foods to help you function better. See Chapter 5, "Mind Matters" and Chapter 9, "Foods to Choose."