Science- Ben Meyers and Fabrizio Villatoro work for an organization that verifies the world's oldest people.
- Between them, they have met over 1,000 centenarians across different continents.
Two longevity researchers, who have met over 1,000 centenarians between them, told Business Insider the surprising things they have learned about living a long, fulfilled life from these superagers.
Ben Meyers and Fabrizio Villatoro are part of LongeviQuest, an organization that validates the ages of the world's oldest people and shares their stories in a database. Meyers, the CEO, has met over 1,000 centenarians through his work with older people, and Villatoro, LongeviQuest's Latin America Research President, has personally verified the ages of around 20 centenarians and supercentenarians (people who are 110 or older).
Genetics can determine whether or not someone lives to 100, but lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and relationships, can play a role too. Meyers and Villatoro have picked up on many of the common habits and mindsets that centenarians from all over the world share.
Not stressing about things out of their control
"Many centenarians are very focused on things that they have control over, but not very stressed about things out of their control," Meyers said.
They don't even tend to worry about their longevity. "There's not a single centenarian I've met who was actually aiming to live that long. They're all kind of surprised. They've enjoyed their lives, and they're happy to still be here," he said.
Instead, they focus on what is important to them, such as surrounding themselves with good people. Villatoro said that most of the centenarians he met in Latin America are focused on their families and religion, and "live without stress."
Chronic stress can negatively affect almost every part of our bodies, for instance leading to high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart attack, or stroke.
Work hard for as long as possible
A good work life balance appears to be beneficial for longevity, as seen in Blue Zones such as Sardinia, where people regularly live to 100 and prioritize family over their careers.
But that doesn't mean that superagers don't work hard and play hard. Villatoro and Meyers said that many of the Latin American centenarians they have spoken to worked tough physical jobs for most of their lives. Meyers said that they might switch to less physical work when they reach a certain age, but "they stay working 'til past 100 years old sometimes."
In rural Colombia, for example, Villatoro said that it's an expectation that people work really hard in physical jobs, but their needs are taken care of by their big families when they need to stop.
It's all about your attitude and staying busy
Despite not actively trying to live to 100, the centenarians that Villatoro has spoken to never stopped being busy, even into advanced age.
Keeping your body and mind active is key for longevity, Insider previously reported, and research suggests that group exercise, for instance, is particularly beneficial because it incorporates social contact and physical exercise. Reading, doing word games, or attending educational lectures or courses can meanwhile help maintain cognitive function.
"Even if they're not working at 100, they find a way to fill their days, spending time in society or with family, reading newspapers — a variety of different activities. Even when they're not in good physical condition any more, they still have a way to stimulate themselves mentally," Villatoro said of the centenarians.