Almost 100-year-old grandma, with shocking agility, drops the big secret to longevity; ‘I keep moving, and have never….’

We often wonder what is the secret to longevity. Is it diet, exercise, or just plain, good genes? Turns out, it is all of the above! While genes do play a role, what is equally important is how well you take care of yourself and your body. Recently, a woman on Instagram shared the longevity secrets of her grandmother, who will turn 100 in February. The centenarian with remarkable ability, still lives in her own home, and takes care of all the house chores. Wondering what’s her secret? Here’s what she said….

Keep moving

The video, shared by user Taylor Brown, showed her Granny, aka Grandma Bernie, living her life with remarkable ability, and agility. Her grand daughter who was recording the video asked her about her routine to which she said, “I take care of my home, I still get on my fours, and scrub the floor. My mother said, this is the best way to get to the corners.”

Best advice

When asked to share her best piece of advice, she confidently stated, "Always strive to keep both your body and mind moving well, and prioritize eating nutritious food." In addition to this valuable advice, she disclosed that she regularly takes vitamins, and enjoys engaging in puzzles, which serve as fantastic exercises for the mind. She emphasized that these activities contribute significantly to keeping her brain active and sharp.

Skin health

The granny revealed that she uses a cream for her face and a moisturiser, but that’s about it. She also revealed a surprising fact, ‘I have never used sunscreen in my life.’ She also added that when it gets cold, she stands outside with her jacket on with the sun. In the summers though, she is out “all the time.” She also showed her exercise book, which she uses every day, especially in winters.




Why grandma’s advice makes so much sense

Exercise is, and will always remain the cornerstone of longevity. Exercise is not something that just helps you stay fit – it reduces inflammation, releases endorphins, and even promotes mental health. While strength training is extremely important, what you should also focus on is just movement – whether it is 30 minutes of brisk walking every day, or a swim, a jog, or a cycling session. It is important to keep those muscles going all the time!

Diet

Eat well, says granny. And eat well, you should. If you are a vegetarian, load your plate up with veggies, fruits, legumes, whole wheat carbs, nuts, and seeds. For meat lovers, stay away from red meat, while increasing eggs, fish and lean chicken, apart from a generous helping of good fats. And yes, desserts, while not completely off the table, can be enjoyed a couple of times each month, but not more!

Brain health

While we give a lot of importance to our physical health, we often forget that our brain health is equally important. While physical exercise too boosts brain health, the trick is to challenge your brain every now and then. This can be done through solving puzzles, learning a new activity (especially as you age), or even learning a new language. The idea is to keep the brain occupied all the time!

Stay stress free

In the video, Taylor mentioned that her granny looked remarkable for her age. A lot of people might not realise it, but mental stress too, can have physical manifestations that can show up on the body. These include wrinkles, sagging skin, under eye circles, weight changes and so on. While ageing is inevitable, how you take care of yourself makes all the difference. For this, it is important to be surrounded by friends and family, share a laugh every day, and do activities that lower your stress levels. Forging social bonds is one of the biggest tools to longevity, since it lowers loneliness, which is a known marker for early death.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice