Health & Well-Being

10,000 people celebrated their 100th birthday today. And the same number will reach the century mark every day for the next decade. Here’s how you can join that club:

• Keep friends and family close. In a study of how centenarians spend their time, nearly 9-out-of-10 said they spoke with a friend or family member every day. And numerous studies show that the bigger a person’s social circle, the longer they’re likely to live. That’s because friends and family reduce stress, improve your brainpower through stimulating conversation – and look out for your health.

• Nurture your spiritual side. 66% of people who have celebrated 100 years make prayer, meditation, or religious services part of their daily life. Again, a lot of it has to do with stress reduction, but spirituality also gives people a purpose in life. And that leads to an optimistic outlook – and improved health.

• Diet and exercise – which is crucial to long-term health. More than 80% of those who hit their 100th birthday say they make good food choices. And more than half of them exercise regularly.

• Don’t skimp on shut-eye. New research shows that the sleep hormone melatonin also acts as a powerful antioxidant. And it’ll repair damage at the cellular level – as long as you get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep a night.

• Cultivate your sense of humor. A Harvard University study found that, almost without exception, people who live a long time are good at using laughter to manage stress.