Hers’s A Centenarian’s Advice For Long Life

Hers’s A Centenarian’s Advice For Long Life

At the remarkable age of 100, Mildred Kirschenbaum of Boca Raton, Florida, offers a simple yet profound piece of advice for a long and healthy life: “Don’t spend your life complaining.” This centenarian encourages individuals to not dwell on minor issues and to sidestep constant negativity. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 25, 1923, Mildred has managed to maintain her vibrant personality and an active lifestyle into her centenarian years.

Despite her advanced age, she remains independent and active, managing her finances, driving, cooking, and handling all her affairs. Mildred is also an avid card player, taking pleasure in games like bridge, canasta, pam, and mahjong. She is a regular at Happy Hour and continues to live a full and lively life.

Centenarians in the Digital Age

Her daughter, Gayle, a filmmaker, has been documenting Mildred’s life, sharing her sharp wit, life advice, and adventures on social media platforms. Some of these videos have attracted significant attention and have gone viral. According to Mildred, she doesn’t feel any different even at the age of 100. She boasts a large family, including three children, seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Going beyond the advice on living a complaint-free life, Mildred also shared her love for the late musician Frank Sinatra, claiming that “There’s no one who could compete with him.” Her perspective offers a refreshing outlook on aging, emphasizing positivity, activity, and a light-hearted approach to life’s challenges.

Other Secrets to Longevity

Dr. Gladys McGarey, the author of “The Well Lived Life: A 102 Year Old Doctor’s Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age,” emphasizes finding your purpose and community. She advises individuals to view diseases and pain as teachers, understanding what they tell us to find the best way to deal with them.

Larry Janisse, who remains young at 98, advises surrounding yourself with family and friends and having a good sense of humor. He also suggests maintaining social fitness, objectively viewing how we pour into our relationships and improving any imbalances to become better friends and partners.

Ruth Sweedler, 103, advises keeping your body and mind in good shape. Through practices like regular walks, building connections, sticking to a balanced low-fat diet, and staying positive, she and her sister have both lived beyond the age of 100.

Consistent Diet, Faith, and Positivity

Lucia DeClerck, who has lived through the Spanish flu, two World Wars, and a COVID diagnosis at 105, attributes her longevity to prayer, a consistent diet, and notably, eating nine gin-soaked golden raisins every morning.

Elizabeth Francis, a 110-year-old from Houston, credits her faith as the factor that keeps her going. She sees her longevity as a blessing from the Lord. Similarly, Ruth Hilliard of North Carolina, who celebrated her 106th birthday in June 2019, also credits her longevity to her faith.

Having a positive outlook is what Roslyn Menaker, 103, highlights as important for longevity. She finds joy in her daily walks and her stylish wardrobe.

The Role of Singlehood and Sleep

Jessie Gallan, who turned 109 in 2015, and Louise Signore, 107, both credit their long lives to staying single. They both believe that being unmarried is a significant factor for their longevity.

Kermit Hongo, who lived up to the age of 116, was known for her unique habit of sleeping for two days straight and staying up for two days straight. This unusual sleep pattern, according to her, contributed to her long life.

Healthy Lifestyle and Exercise

Dan Buettner, who studies Blue Zones or areas with a high concentration of people who live to 100, points to the healthy lifestyle of citizens in Sardinia, Italy, as a key factor in their unusually high rate of centenarians. People in Sardinia, mostly shepherds, engage in a lot of physical activity and eat a plant-based diet, with meat being considered a luxury. They also enjoy a glass or two of red wine with dinner.

Henry Danton, a 100-year-old British-born ballet phenomenon, credits taking care of his body as the secret to his long life and his ability to continue teaching ballet. He emphasizes that keeping both body and mind active and staying optimistic has been very important for his health.