Chapter 2

The Science and Art of Living Longer and Living Better

Everybody’s Doing It

ON BEING 100

INCREASING LONGEVITY

LIFESTYLE IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

USING COMPUTERS, TABLETS, AND SMARTPHONES

LIFESTYLE CHOICES

THE BIG THREE

HEALTHY DIET

THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

SOCIALIZATION AND QUALITY OF LIFE

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY

INTERESTS AND AVOCATIONS

There is both a science and an art to longevity. The collective judgment of our centenarians is that living long and living well result from various combinations of genes, lifestyle, positive attitude, and luck.

Ongoing research into longevity seems to bear this out. Moreover, recent developments in technology and its use in genetic research and medicine shine a whole new light on increasing longevity—with the promise of making it available to everyone. Here, we take a look at some of the most exciting advances that will impact our well-being in the near future, that is, the “science” of longevity.

This chapter also illuminates the significance of lifestyle choices of diet, exercise, and socialization as contributing to successful aging. Through the examples, perspectives, and advice of our centenarians, we explore these factors that make up the “art” of longevity.

What we see in the lifestyles of centenarians in this book is that there is no one path to 100 and not one model centenarian. Each of us can learn from the myriad examples of those who have reached the century mark, and apply what we think would work for ourselves. ...

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