How to live to 100

POSTED ON September 26, 2014 BY Shannon Nelson
CATEGORY Health, Life,

Maureen Nelson and Doroth March at Dorothy's 100th birthday

My mother, with her mother, at the big 100th birthday bash. Hope I got their genes . . .

You see the babes in the picture just above? They are my 82 year old mother, Maureen, alongside her 100 year old mother, Dorothy. The picture was taken last weekend at a family party to celebrate Dorothy’s 100th birthday, an event we have all been looking forward to. And it was quite a party.

The birthday girl welcomed some 50 guests with grace and poise, and generous libations and good food were provided. Naturally, there were speeches and toasts, and more toasts, and as we all clinked glasses and drank to our matriarch’s continued good health, some tears, and much laughter accompanied the festivities.

As emcee of the party, I had done a bit of digging around online to see if I could find some material to entertain the group in between toasts. Actually, it was selfish, because what I really wanted to know was how I could manage to live to 100 with the same verve, mental sharpness and ongoing enjoyment that Dorothy has.

There is no shortage of advice on how to live your life so that you live well for a long time. Based on conclusions of studies of the group as a whole, Dorothy is ‘textbook’.

Here are five things that most centenarians have in common:

Positive attitude - centenarians generally describe themselves as optimists. Dorothy started her life in an orphanage, faced tremendous poverty, and had to work hard to raise her two daughters. She lost her brother when he was 20, outlived three husbands (one who deserted her when she had two babies), and one of her daughters. Despite all of this, she has always looked forward, and had a positive outlook on life. To her credit, she also has a wonderful sense of humour.
Clean living - People who live to 100 have generally stayed out of trouble. They aren’t heavy drinkers, although many enjoy a daily cocktail, and Dorothy still hosts cocktail parties for her friends at the home. Nor are they smokers, and if they were, they quit long ago.
Stay active - mentally and physically. Most centenarians are still pursuing hobbies, trying new things, and getting physical exercise. Dorothy goes to Yoga class most mornings, and walks to the mall (at least one way) a couple times a week. She plays cards, reads the newspaper, and stays on top of the comings and goings of her large family.
A loving family - a universal trait of centenarians. No question Dorothy is surrounded by a grateful and loving family, and fortunately we’ve been able to show and tell her that during the many toasts of past birthdays.
Good genes - Scientists have determined that genetic make-up plays a role in longevity as well. Dorothy’s parents both died relatively young so it’s hard to know for sure, but I’m counting on having her genes on my side!

When the party was over, we all went our separate ways. I talked to my Mom on the phone the following day, and she mentioned that she was going to hold off talking to her mother for fear the birthday girl would be exhausted from all the festivities. Turned out she was wrong. In fact, when she did finally call that evening, Dorothy couldn’t talk on the phone. She was entertaining a few friends for a little cocktail party in her suite.

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson is an accomplished writer, interviewer, and radio and television host, formerly with CFUN, VisionTV, the Biography Channel and CBC Television. Before starting a family in the early 80's, Shannon was a stock broker at Pemberton Securities and Canarim Securities (now Canaccord). She is the mother of CEO.ca founder Tommy Humphreys. More →

pinkynel@gmail.com

Shannon Nelson

pinkynel@gmail.com

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