The well of advice for how to be healthier and live longer never runs dry. Those tips range from getting in enough exercise to eating a plant-based diet. One common piece of guidance urges us to form healthy, lifelong friendships.
To get some of this highly coveted wisdom from the older population in the U.S., Pew Research Center asked 2,582 Americans ages 65 and older a vital question: “Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to younger people to help them prepare for getting older?”
“Respondents answered this question in their own words. We then coded their responses into categories based on the themes they mentioned, up to three per person,” the report states.
The topic that most of the older Americans gave advice on was health. Participants shared tips on how to eat, how often to exercise and the significance of staying up-to-date with medical appointments.
Centenarians that CNBC Make It has spoken to in the past have stressed the importance of eating mostly plant-based diets of whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Plenty of healthy adults over the age of 90 also mentioned the power of walking and moving your body as often as possible for longevity.
“I try to walk every day, without excuse,” Malcom Idelson told Make It in 2023 when he was 94. “I look forward to it. I’m often a little down and I say, ‘Let me get out and walk,’ and I feel so much better.”
Another factor that seniors found significant to highlight was finances. “While many older adults simply stressed the necessity of saving money, some went into more detail about investment strategies,” according to the report.
Here’s a full list of the themes that stood out of the aging advice from older Americans:
Health (49%)Finances (37%)Mindset/outlook on life (24%)Relationships (11%)Activities (8%)Work (8%)Faith/religion (7%)
One of the top three topics was also having the right mindset or outlook on life. Nearly a quarter of seniors polled suggest that young people practice gratitude and enjoy life as much as they can.
When asked what her secret was for living a long, happy life, Roslyn Menaker told The Guardian, “I wear beautiful hats and go on daily walks – now in my wheelchair.” The publication interviewed her in 2023 when she was 103 years old.
“What else is important?” Menaker added. “Happiness, joy, appreciation. A positive outlook. Kindness and generosity. Try not to worry.”
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