How to Live to 100

Did you know that if you make it to your 100th birthday you’re given a new name? You are known as a centurion. And if you manage to make it to your 110th birthday, you’re actually a supercenturion! If that’s not incentive enough to follow these five steps, we don’t know what is.

Step 1: Move more
Studies have found that it’s not your regular F45 class that’ll help you live longer, it’s actually functional, every day movement that keep your body limber. So playing with your nieces and nephews, walking your dog, gardening and even carrying heavy shopping all contribute to a body that is well oiled and functionally fit.

Step 2: Sleep
Yes, the elusive zzzzz. Although it can be hard to nail down eight solid hours of shuteye, experts say that you should still aim for it. Sleep is the natural way our bodies recharge and detox, and sleep deprivation has a huge amount of side affects including heart disease, high blood pressure and even hallucinations!

Step 3: Eat a Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean, in particular Greece, is home to some of the oldest people on the planet, and scientists have concluded that one of the reasons why is their diet. So try to stick to a mainly plant-based diet and include lots of olive oil, whole grains, legumes and nuts.

Step 4: Connect
Having close friendships has been found to reduce the risk of depression, anxiety and stress, and one study actually found that people who have close, meaningful friendships live longer!

Step 5: Have a purpose
And, finally, numerous studies (this time of supercenturians in Japan) have found that having a purpose and a passion in life can improve your health and help you live for longer. This is based on the concept of Ikigai, which roughly translates to doing an activity that holds meaning to you, no matter what it is. (No, Netflix binging doesn’t count…)