Living a healthy lifestyle has been proven to promote longevity, but experts are taking it seven steps further. Longevity experts David Cravit and Larry Wolf, co-founders of the web magazine and newsletter SuperAgingNews.com, recently published “The SuperAging Workbook” – a follow-up to their 2023 book, “SuperAging: Getting Older Without Getting Old.” In the book, the authors map out the “7 As of super-aging” for optimal health and longevity.
Cravit, based in Canada, expressed his personal belief in the potential of a positive mindset to significantly impact one’s health and longevity. “I may be 65, but I could have 30 more years to go here,” he said. “I can do new stuff. I can create new things. I can grow. I can learn. I can fulfill.” He emphasized the importance of a positive attitude, noting that people with a positive mindset tend to outlive those with a more negative outlook due to reduced stress levels and lower inflammation, which are associated with many age-related diseases.
Wolf also highlighted the significance of staying active, noting that daily exercise is a proven method to extend lifespan. “Just get up a few times a day, do five minutes of exercise, move around, do a few squats, do anything for five minutes,” he suggested. “It will have an enormous positive impact on your well-being.” Additionally, maintaining mental agility and cognitive fitness is crucial, as Wolf stated, “You need to do new things and work on difficult things to maintain your intellectual acuity.” He shared his own experience of engaging in Tai Chi swordsmanship to stimulate cognitive function.
Both Cravit and Wolf stressed the value of setting and pursuing new goals after retirement, whether it be through volunteering, further education, or learning new skills. They also underscored the importance of social connections, as having meaningful relationships with partners, family, and friends plays a key role in aging gracefully. Cravit mentioned his long-term marriage as an example of the strength of such relationships.
Furthermore, the authors highlighted the importance of maintaining autonomy, both in terms of physical and financial independence. Wolf emphasized the need to manage one’s finances effectively to ensure a sustainable quality of life as age increases. “If you’re going to live longer, you’ve got to be able to finance it,” he said. “You need to manage your money so that it lasts, and you can maintain what you need monetarily to live and thrive well.”
Despite the benefits of aging gracefully, they acknowledged the challenges faced by seniors, including ageism and the risk of being scammed online. Wolf advised being cautious about the information one consumes online, noting that the internet is fraught with deceptive individuals attempting to exploit the elderly through various schemes.
Ultimately, the experts reiterated that the most critical component of super-aging is leading a fulfilling life. “Have the right attitude, make yourself aware of critical things that are going on, keep moving, eat right, cultivate your social network and do things that you’re interested in,” Wolf advised. He concluded by emphasizing that these are everyday strategies anyone can adopt to attain a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.