The Theodore Newsletter

January 1, 2025

I’m now in the last decade before officially becoming a centenarian. A host of people have questioned my secrets on longevity. (Webster simply defines longevity as: “length of life.”) Could it be genes? Maybe. But, then again, maybe not. If not, what then?

Here are my half-dozen keys to longevity. This is followed by a host of other “minor” suggestions that one might consider.

1. WALK! This is the most important of my 6 keys. Up until this year, I walked a mile at a leisurely pace in the morning (on awakening) and at night (following dinner). It’s now down to the morning walk and a 1/8 to 1/4 mile at night. I also do a few deep knee bends and seven pushups in the morning. I also try to walk 25 to 100 feet several times in between these walks. If you choose to run, don’t run too far, and don’t overexert. The important thing is to get all parts of your body moving without putting any excessive pressure on other parts of your body. Don’t bypass this key; as I indicated above, I believe it is the most important suggestion you will find in this article.
2. DRINK WATER. Lots of it! Water is the common name for the liquid state of the hydrogen – oxygen compound H₂O. It is the major constituent of all living matter. Approximately 75% of the weight of living organisms is water. It plays an important role in the metabolic breakdown of protein and carbohydrates in our system and has been defined by many as the “universal solvent.” Did I say drink lots of it? Well, if you’re not feeling well, I suggest you drink even more of it. I believe that it helps flush out the evil demons within us when ill. Colleague and former student John McConway suggests drinking the water at ambient temperature (no ice) and with a glass (not a bottle) to reduce the resistance to flow. A good idea. Remember, it’s water – not coffee, tea, soda, etc.
3. DON’T SMOKE, DRINK ALCOHOL OR TAKE DRUGS. I smoked for one year during my mid-twenties. You will be spared of the tales of the effects of smoking on some of my friends. I drank alcoholic beverages for approximately 25 years but haven’t had a drink since 1977. And I don’t miss it. I guess alcohol in moderation would be okay, but given a choice, I wouldn’t drink. As you might suppose, I have never done drugs in any manner or form. I think those that do are playing with fire.
4. TAKE DEEP BREATHS. I do just this on awakening and prior to going to sleep. Oxygen is the most abundant of all the elements known to man. It composes 23% by weight of the atmosphere, 86% of the oceans (98% of pure water is oxygen); and, as a constituent of most rocks and minerals, 47% of the solid crust of the earth. Oxygen comprises 60% of the human body. It is a constituent of all living tissues; almost all plants and animals, including all humans, require oxygen to maintain life. Oxygen is administered medicinally to patients whose respiratory functioning is impaired and is supplied to individuals in aircraft flying at high altitudes where the concentration of oxygen is insufficient to support the normal respiratory process. I suggest the aforementioned deep breaths be taken through the nose. You might also consider doing it during the middle of the day.
5. MAKE OTHERS HAPPY. Since the mid-1970s when I survived a fierce battle with depression, I have attempted to make someone happy every day of the year. How, you ask? By saying thank you whenever the occasion arises. By complimenting people. By overtipping the waiter and commenting on the services. By tipping the bus boy. By tipping anybody who has gone out of their way for me, etc., etc. It really is a good feeling.
6. MAINTAIN TIES WITH IMPORTANT RESOURCES. The resources would, of course, include your physician(s), dentist, psychiatrist, hospital, etc., at the medical level. But also maintain ties and surround yourself with individuals (and things) that are happy, smart, kind, positive, and (most importantly) funny. There are few things that beat a good laugh.

As you might suppose, there are other things that you should consider doing. Some of my other “favorites” are listed below.

• Read.
• Get educated.
• Try writing or painting. I don’t paint. But I did get educated to a point where I have written 117 books…plus nearly 200 articles for my monthly newsletter.
• Drive defensively.
• Vacation occasionally. A change of pace is good but there is nothing like home.
• Slow down and get rid of that protruding belly.
• I’ve been successful in minimizing sugar and salt intake.
• Expose yourself to extreme temperatures on a regular basis; cold during the winter and heat during the summer.
• Stay away from snacks. I guess a small snack on occasion is ok.
• Wed later rather than earlier in life. I got lucky. Girls didn’t want to know me. Then – and I still can’t believe it – I hit the jackpot.
• Don’t overextend exercising. On the other hand, Mary does just the opposite.
• Do puzzles. Newsday provides a crossword puzzle, a Jumble, and 2 crypto quotes.
• I’ve been on a diet the last 13 years. It consists of 600 – 800 calories one day per week.

Back to longevity. Lifespan is the length of time that embraces all the events of one’s life, from conception to death. The maximum lifespan for humans has not changed significantly in the last several centuries. The average lifespan, however, has increased greatly for persons living in industrialized countries. The average lifespan has risen from nearly 40 years of age at the end of the 18^th century to about twice that age today. And, the average lifespan of American women now exceeds that of American men by approximately seven years. Interestingly, humans have the longest average lifespan of almost all mammals. The longest living animal is the giant tortoise, which is believed to attain a maximum age of about 200 years. Some plants, such as trees, however, live much longer than any animal; redwoods, for example, may live for more than 3000 years!

How about you in the reading audience? Any comments? Any contribution(s)? I’d appreciate some help here.

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Note:   I will be presenting an encore (by popular request) seminar tutorial on gambling (particularly dice) based on my book Winning at Casinos on February 5 at the Village of East Williston Library, 2 Prospect Street, East Williston, at 7:00pm.  Entry is free and refreshments will be served.

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