Betty White Is 99 and Says Doing This Keeps Her Forever Young

Renowned actress, activist, and "Golden Girls" star Betty White is celebrating her 99th birthday this Sunday, January 17. She appears to grow more graceful with age, much like fine wine. Her significant birthday raises the question: what is her secret to a long life?

In a People magazine interview, she credited good genes for her lengthy, healthy existence. "I am blessed with good health," she remarked, "so turning 99 is no different than turning 98." Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, she will mark this special birthday quietly but looks forward to "visiting with close friends and bringing food to my animal friends" once normalcy returns.

In honor of her approaching centennial, here are her top tips for a long, healthy life:

1. Stay Positive

In 2018, she advised Parade to "accentuate the positive, not the negative. It may sound trite, but many people choose to complain rather than say, 'That was great!' Finding the good isn't hard if you look for it."

2. Laugh

White, who has had a prolific career in comedy, believes laughter truly is the best medicine. "Don't take yourself too seriously. You can lie to others—not that I would—but you can't lie to yourself," she said.

Why is laughter effective? It reduces stress hormones and boosts immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, enhancing disease resistance. It also stimulates endorphin release, the body's natural feel-good chemicals, promoting overall well-being and even temporarily easing pain.

3. Avoid Complaining

“I know it sounds corny, but I try to see the funny side and the upside, not the downside. I get bored with people who complain about this or that. It’s such a waste of time,” she told Parade in the same interview.

Negativity can become a downward spiral; focusing on problems rather than solutions only exacerbates the issue. It's natural to experience negative thoughts occasionally, but it's crucial to express them and then shift focus to solutions.

4. Keep busy

"First of all, keep busy," was the advice given to Katie Couric in a 2017 interview. "Don't make everything about yourself; that gets old quickly. It's easy to find things that interest you. Enjoy and immerse yourself in them, and that will keep you alert."

Studies of individuals in nursing homes support the notion that those who are engaged and have things to look forward to are generally in better spirits.

"I just love to work, so I'll continue working until they stop asking," she declared to Parade.

5. Exercise your mind

White advocates for challenging oneself with mind games and puzzles to maintain mental acuity, a sentiment backed by science.

Engaging in mind games activates various brain functions: memory, creativity, cognition, and language abilities. Whether solo or in a group, challenging oneself and others is beneficial for staying mentally sharp and may help prevent neurological diseases over time.

"Crossword puzzles!" she exclaimed to Couric. "I'm an addict. I simply can't stop doing them."

Source: dailyhealthpost