High stress tolerance, balanced diet and active life are the main ingredients of longevity. Medicull Waclaw Kroczek from Poland explained to “Truth” what are the conditions that we must fulfill for a life as long as possible and of quality.
It depends on us how long-lived we are or not PHOTO The truth
There are approximately 722,000 people in the world who have reached or exceeded the age of 100. Romania ranks 33rd in Europe in terms of life expectancy, with an average of 77.8 years. However, specialists say that, in addition to genetic and environmental factors, including climate, longevity depends a lot on us. That is, how we decide to live our lives. The Polish doctor Waclaw Kroczek from Research Fellow, Gerontology Research Group, invited to the national conference “Map of Life in Romania”, organized by the Scientific Senate of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation, at the Romanian Academy, on October 9, stated for Adevărul who they are, based on scientific documentation of super-centenarians, the possible conditions for a longer life.
Stress, the main enemy of longevity
From the start, the Polish specialist says that stress is what kills us in days. If we want to live longer, we must have an optimistic attitude towards the world, life and all the events, even traumatic ones, that we have to face. “We must avoid stress. As much as possible in the world we live in. Let’s do our best to reduce the stress level, rather and have a more positive attitude”says Waclaw Kroczek.
He also bases his claims on the fact that most centenarians, i.e. those who have passed the age of 100, had a special attitude towards stress. In short, they became immune to stress. All the traumatic events they went through, especially the war but also periods of famine or persecution, did not bring them to their knees. On the contrary, they made them constantly reinvent their lives.
“Immunity to stress is a factor of longevity mentioned by all super-centenarians. They tend not to beat their heads very hard with daily problems, they do not make a tragedy out of everything. Their emotional, mental stability is not easily shaken, hardly at all. They experienced a phenomenon called post-traumatic growth. Living through traumatic, stressful periods, they strengthened themselves so much that nothing could destabilize them, affect them. This contributes enormously to their psychological health, helping them to reach very old ages“, adds the Polish specialist. Practically, through this post-traumatic growth phenomenon, a positive psychological transformation occurs following traumatic or difficult situations. A kind of irretrievable optimism in any situation.
Balanced diet, rest and an orderly life
At the same time, another key component is a balanced and healthy diet. That is, to feed ourselves with moderate amounts of food that contain the nutrients our body needs. Typically, super-centenarians have eaten healthy, natural foods all their lives, and not in large quantities. In general, the specialists show, it is about an orderly, balanced life, with healthy food, but also rest. Waking up early and having a daily routine are also on the longevity list.
“We should have a moderate and balanced diet. Our food must contain all the nutrients we need. A discipline of life is important, waking up early, going to bed early. And to maintain as much as possible the same hours of daily activities, a schedule. It is important to rest after work“, states Waclaw Kroczek.
Social involvement and moderate physical activity
Physical activity is also important. In fact, sport is one of the three main ingredients of longevity, along with stress reduction and a balanced diet. The super-centenarians had their share of physical activity. In particular, work, if we refer to Romania. However, specialists say that the best is moderate physical activity, not excessive, and suitable for our age.
“It is important to have moderate physical activity, to avoid extreme physical activity. Let’s exercise and keep physically active. Those who reach the age of over 100 years, have a regular physical activity, an active life”states the Polish doctor. In addition, very long-lived people are also psychologically active, socially involved and maintain contact with family. They have, as Dr. Waclaw Kroczek also says, strong family ties. “Their longevity is also due to the care and love of the younger generation. This fact is not at all negligible“, he says.
The organization represented by Dr. Waclaw Kroczek is the world authority in the scientific validation of age and most importantly the authority that validates super-centenarians, a partner of the Guinness World Record.
