Ageless Energy: Simple Habits from Centenarians to Keep Your Body and Mind Young
7. Keep Learning and Stay Curious
A lively, curious mind sparkles in many centenarian interviews. Whether learning a new recipe, picking up a puzzle, or reading the daily paper, continuing to stretch and grow keeps brains agile. Experts in aging find that new mental challenges—practicing language, playing music, or tackling a crossword—help forge new brain pathways and may slow memory decline. It’s less about sitting in a classroom and more about “stretching” your interests: joining a book group, trying a creative hobby, or swapping stories with neighbors. Even rewatching a favorite film can uncover new details when approached with curiosity. Give yourself permission to be an eager beginner—there’s wisdom in loving the act of learning itself, no matter your age.
8. Maintain Moderate, Regular Daily Routines
Consistency, not rigidity, anchors a centenarian day. Routines are familiar yet forgiving: regular mealtimes, habitual bedtimes, moments of reflection or light activity. Meals fall into gentle patterns—breakfast with tea, lunch with neighbors, a lighter early dinner. Moderate eating, rather than feast or famine, gives the body steady fuel and helps regulate metabolism. Drinking water often, limiting heavy or late-night snacks, and allowing for the occasional treat all fit inside a flexible but comforting structure. What matters is not perfection, but the reliable rhythm—it brings ease to body and mind. Try sketching out your own gentle routine. When you find a cadence that suits your day, watch how energy and calm unfold together.
