We need to have strong minds and positive psychological attitudes to live healthier and longer. Who else, other than centenarians\u2014individuals past the age of one hundred years and examples of longevity\u2014can provide us the insight into efficient psychological strategies for living longer?<\/p>\n
Centenarians have something different from others: a sparkle of life in their eyes and attitudes. The sparkle of life, or the centenarian spirit, creates liveliness in everything they do, both the big and small activities of daily life. It keeps these one hundred-year-olds living in a creative way. It expresses itself in unexpected thoughts, words, acts, or behaviors, often including humor or refreshing comic attitudes.<\/p>\n
Centenarians are full of surprises: they may be supporters of a baseball team (Myrtle Little, one hundred), of a country singer (Ollie Pike, 103), or of humor (Jeanne Calment).<\/p>\n
When a journalist asked Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122 years, why she had lived so long, she answered, \u201cBecause God has forgotten me.\u201d When another journalist asked at her 120th birthday how she considered her future, she answered, \u201cVery, very short.\u201d Finally, when one last journalist commented on her wrinkles, she protested, \u201cThe only wrinkle I have is the one I sit on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Check if you have the psychological features to become a centenarian.\u00a0 Please fill in the following questionnaire, which my patients have to fill in before their first consultation. The scores are tentative but should be considered as an incentive to make psychological improvements, not as solid evidence.<\/p>\n