Healthy and happy
Sisters over 100 years old reveal what keeps them mentally fit
Symbolic image of two elderly women.
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How do we stay happy and content in old age? These two 100+ year old sisters share what helped them. Perhaps you are already on the right path.
There are already some studies on what makes us age healthily. For example, according to researchers, social contacts, gratitude and a positive attitude towards life have a positive effect on our life expectancy. Ruth Sweedler from Connecticut, USA, turned 103 in December. Her sister, Shirley Hodes, who lives in North Carolina, is 106. They both told CNBC Make it that they don’t feel old. They say these four things have helped them stay mentally fit.
1. The connection to other people
As researchers have shown, Hodes and Sweedler also believe that the people around them have helped them stay mentally fit. Family is important to both of them, and Sweedler also credits her deceased husband with a share in her good life: “There’s nothing better,” she explains. “It’s so wonderful to love and be loved.” – Hodes adds: “The people you are surrounded by: friends, relatives, family, that’s what you remember most.” Both would also have been interested in other people throughout their lives. “They are full of surprises,” said Hodes. You just have to give them the chance to open up and remember what they say. Social relationships worry aloud studies for many benefits, both physical (such as lower blood pressure or a better immune system) and mental.
2. Learning new things
In fact, new worlds are what Ruth Sweedler loves to explore most, and that’s in books! “I love to read,” explains the 103-year-old. She doesn’t watch anything on television except for a few news programs. Her sister explains, “Old people can get lost in themselves when they have illnesses and things like that. That can make it hard to keep an open mind.” Her thirst for knowledge made her, for example, a guest student in university courses. Recently she has discovered audio books on various topics: elephants, the Jewish community in Salonika or the life of the opera singer Jessye Norman. “There’s always so much to learn!” says Hodes. And here, too, researchers have already found that learning new and challenging things can maintain and improve our cognitive abilities. Some skills, such as learning photography, are meant to be aloud Research by the way be particularly helpful.
3. The love of work
This may not be for everyone, but according to Ruth Sweedler, her work has also kept her fit. She loved working. She used to be an actress in local productions and was also very active in her Jewish community. She’s not that religious, but “I’m aware that I’m Jewish and I like being involved,” said the 103-year-old. Hodes also worked until she turned 70. If you’re lucky enough to work in a field you enjoy, you should take it, she explains. It is satisfying to use your own talents and makes life more comfortable.
4. Appreciation
Not taking life for granted and being thankful for the things you have experienced or the people you have in life. One of the things that keeps the sisters mentally fit, as they say. As Shirley Hodes explains, “You can’t have everything and when you have the important things in life, you have to realize that.” They are grateful for a wonderful life and content despite their circumstances. Sweedler, for example, is no longer very mobile and can no longer go out regularly. But she concentrates on positive things, for example that she can still read. And research also proves: According to several studies, showing and receiving gratitude makes you happy.
Sources used: CNBC Make it, Harvard University, Science Daily, National Library of Medicine,