Life hacking for grandchildren: 11 family stories about long-livers
The World Health Organization considers age from 75 to 90 is senile, and those who have lived more are long-lived. In Russia, the average life expectancy is 71 years. We talked with different people about their relatives and acquaintances, who are already 85 years old, but they remain an enviable activity, and asked about how to spend time to live to such a decent age.
My great-grandmother, Natalya Viktorovna, was born in 1913, while still in Tsarist Russia, and died quite recently, having lived for 101 years. She was a geologist and one of the pioneers of diamond placers in the Urals. All her life she traveled a lot around the USSR, lived in St. Petersburg, Perm, taught at the Perm Polytechnic Institute, often went on expeditions to Russia. Unfortunately, in 1945, when the war was already behind, her husband died in a car accident, and the great-grandmother was left alone with two young children in her arms. Despite this, in 1948 she became head of the Ural Diamond Expedition.
She was very vigorous up to a very old age, about 97 years old, probably the most energetic in our family, she lived alone, prepared meals for her numerous grandchildren, corresponded with colleagues who were often much younger. I think that the love of traveling in our family is from her. My grandmother is 80 this year, and the year before last she flew with a group to Latin America and is not going to stop there. Great-grandmother stopped traveling on an expedition when she was already over 70, and explained it this way: "I don’t like to drive in the cab of the truck, I love to ride in the back, and in the back at my age it’s somehow awkward to ride."
When my great-grandmother was over 80, she, on her own initiative, went on a business trip from Moscow to the Perm Territory to take samples of the rock and confirm her calculations of the new diamond deposit — and later a new diamond deposit was discovered at this place. Great-grandmother wrote a lot and read, while she still could see normally. After 80 years, she published a scientific book, and after 90 - autobiographical. All the books she wrote on paper by hand, and in the release of her, of course, helped the whole family. It seems to me that invaluable books are for family and subsequent generations of autobiography.
Great-grandmother always moved a lot and was active, but I cannot say that she did something very special for her health. She never refused sweet tea, drank tea with sugar, cooked a very sweet and concentrated compote of natural fruits, which we now consider as a source of longevity in the family. She never refused salt. Until old age, my grandmother was charging in the Muller system - the Danish coach, whose book was published back in 1904. I believe that daily sports activities, even for 10-15 minutes, are very useful, but it is always difficult for me to find the time for this and force myself to do even a couple of exercises.
As much as I remember my great-grandmother, she always ate very little; For quite a long time, she kept a regular post — from about 70 to 90 years. She slept a lot and thought that sleep was the key to good health and well-being. She was light on her feet, she loved to walk very much - for example, at the age of 85 easily walked 3-4 kilometers when she came to visit us through the forest park. I also love to walk very much and I am glad when I walk more than five kilometers a day (unfortunately, this happens not so often).
We have never heard any edification from our great-grandmother. What I inherited from her is an easy attitude to things. She never attached to them and easily separated from them. I was always impressed that she watched herself, dressed well and paid attention to it; never wore bathrobes, all my life, until the very last day I went home in a blouse, skirt, stockings, and shoes. The first thing she did when she woke up was cleaning the bed.
All her life she was passionate about her profession. Interest in work and the ability to develop science were for her the engine of life and the guarantor of internal stability. I think that this trait and dedication were transmitted to me as well - I really love what I am doing, and I see in this a source of strength. I was always inspired by her insatiable energy and the fact that she never sat in one place. She always did something: she wrote articles, worked on her books, told us about her expeditions, her parents, and her house in St. Petersburg at our meetings. By her example, she showed me how to work and work on myself.
My grandfather Vladimir Meerovich graduated from two institutes: Moscow Mining and Moscow Energy, becoming a candidate of technical sciences. He is 86 years old, he is the author of several scientific publications, fifteen inventions, he was awarded the sign "Miner's Glory" of three degrees. Almost sixty years ago, he became fascinated with floriculture - so much so that he formed the Moscow Flower Growers Club and was its first chairman in the eighties. His main hobby is peonies; he is engaged in their selection and collecting - now he has more than three hundred varieties. In his 86 years old grandfather continues to be engaged in peonies, participates in exhibitions, writes articles, gives lectures.
My grandfather instilled in me a love for flowers, taught me to care for them - and in general he is a very many-sided person and is well versed in painting and history. Of course, he monitors health and does gymnastics every morning. He was sports all his life, went hiking, traveled - and travels so far.
He is a very kind person, a believer, begins the day with a prayer. He is always calm, never offended by others, does not like to burden anyone. It is almost impossible to unbalance - and the feeling that absolutely everyone loves him, even flowers and birds. I think the pledge of his health is in harmony with himself and the outside world; I would like to follow his example in all respects.
My grandfather's name is Alexander Vasilyevich, he is 86 years old. He is very lively, witty, active - and most of all I am amazed at his energy, his excellent memory and the fact that he still drives a car. I think from the point of view of health it is very important that he always listens to his body. If he feels or sees that something has gone wrong (for example, the level of sugar in the blood, which he regularly measures) has increased, then he changes his diet. It is also important that he always ate fresh food - he lives in Sochi and is bought in the Kuban - and that he has a marine hardening, in the past he was a sea captain. He is well physically prepared for his sea trips, and also, when the season allows, he bathes in the sea every day early in the morning.
Grandfather has enormous will power: from twelve to fifty years he smoked a lot, and then he felt bad - and quit in one day. He is not averse to drinking alcohol, and even makes it himself. He believes that all diseases can be cured with house chachi - I don’t know about diseases, but it seems that it helps to preserve youth.
From a philosophical point of view, he is an optimist and a joyous person. He never experiences for a long time and does not get upset, does not take offense at anyone, because he does not see the point in this: his energy is directed towards the solution of the problem, and not to reflection. He also treats people very well, seeks to help everyone and speaks kindly about everyone. I really like his openness and sociability, I would like to be as optimistic as he is, but this does not always work.
My great-grandmother Daria Eremeevna was a completely amazing woman. She was born in 1903 and survived two wars. When she married her great-grandfather, she lived in London for a long time - I suspect that it was there that she had elegant manners and a sense of style. My first memories of my great-grandmother: I am four years old, I have been at her country house - we are lying on the bed, and she teaches me English according to the old textbook for kids. Another episode: every night before going to bed, she puts me in a big basin and begins painful wiping with cold water for “hardening”.
I remember very well that summer - every day we went swimming twice in the Moscow River, the great-grandmother swam and sunbathed. All her life every morning she did exercises, including exercises for the press with a brutal device - a wheel with handles. I also remember her consistency in food - utility was always in the first place. Beetroot salad with prunes, steamed meatballs (so that nothing fried); when planning visits to the great-grandmother, I did not have thoughts that it would be full of tasty. And with what I had to compare: one of my grandmothers was a virtuoso in the "real grandmother's" business - borscht, pies, endless pickles and preserves, knitted socks and stitched outfits.
Of course, her great-grandmother was different; her position was not typical of Soviet society. It was a woman who knew her worth, in a good sense, an egoist, strong and strong-willed. Of course, she also helped others, led an active social life, always resolved someone’s issues. A separate story - its appearance. I have never in my life seen it without styling - and the haircut was her greatest joy even in 93 years. She always dressed well, walked with a straight back, adored bonnets, used red lipstick. Handbags are always worn with a handle on the forearm. My great-grandmother had many interests - and a great vitality.
Another feature of her great-grandmother was her fantastic exposure. In perestroika, when there was a total deficit and empty shelves in stores, the great-grandmother produced a chicken in the village and with incredible calmness taught the mother to singe and clean it. And the most amazing thing is August 1991. There is a coup in the country, the statement of the State Emergency Committee is on TV - and the great-grandmother, according to his regime, starts doing exercises at exactly nine.
She could easily be alone. For her, the best way to get away from a maturing family conflict was to permanently close in the bathroom with an interesting book. It seems to me that my great-grandmother gave me a love for a healthy lifestyle: Ayurveda, yoga, gymnastics, healthy eating all my adult life is with me. It is an unambiguous example for me in many areas. And I also love beet salads, I cook deliciously for a couple, I always carry bags on my forearm and adore hats.
Unfortunately, my grandmother Emilia is no longer with us - she died at the age of 95 years. Life was very hard for her: ten years of Stalin’s camps in Komi, her husband otrёksya, and she gave birth to my father in the same place in the camp. And despite all these tests, the grandmother did not break, although she was ill for a long time after the end of the camp term. She was not angry with the world. She always said: even if they are offended or deceived many times, do not stop believing people and believing in people. She taught me not to give up and smile, even if it’s very bad.
Until her death, she had a complete set of excellent teeth, one hundred percent vision and a sharp mind. There was not a single day when she would have refused a long walk in the fresh air - and in the warm season, work on the tiny vegetable garden was added to the walks. She ate very simply, she loved a variety of vegetables, which she herself grew, - I do not have my own vegetable garden, but I have a love for vegetables and long walks. I like to think that this is her heredity.
My grandmother Gale will be 90 years old this year - and she is the most cheerful person I know. In 60 years, my grandmother began to practice yoga, pour cold water and massage the body with a brush. Up to 80 years, she went to the market every morning to buy fresh greens and meat, and then she would come to visit all her children and grandchildren. I remember how I waited for her arrival, looked out the window and saw her walking in a beautiful white blouse, sunglasses and a wicker basket. Now it’s hard for grandma to walk long distances - but she tries to go out every day, walks with her friends, goes for groceries and buys small gifts for grandchildren. She never ceases to wonder and admire something new, loves to watch movies, is interested in modern culture, loves to laugh.
Grandma Galya is a musician and continues to play the accordion to this day. This is a rather heavy instrument, especially for an elderly person, but she loves music and does not consider age to be a hindrance to her beloved work. Grandma loves cosmetics: the best gift for her for any occasion is a moisturizer, film mask and light powder for the face. She was the one who gave me the first skin care lesson: she hates tanning, so she always taught me to avoid the sun's rays and not to lie on the beach at noon. A couple of years ago, a grandmother planted a mini-garden on the balcony: growing peppers, lettuce and tomatoes there — I think this is such a substitute for the former daily trips to the market.
Grandfather Lena turned 94 in February. He has never been a typical "home" grandfather - he is an artist and has devoted himself entirely to work, and the household aspects of life have not bothered him much, and even now they don’t care. Nevertheless, for me, he is in many ways an example: this is a person who always and openly expresses his point of view. He is the first to explain to me what constructive criticism is and how to perceive the opinions of others about you and your work. A grandfather leads an active life for a man of his age: he goes to work in a workshop, organizes exhibitions of his works himself and is always present at their opening. It is interesting to talk with him about art, we are discussing, arguing with each other - or agree. The grandfather is very picky about people and can not tolerate when they are late: punctuality is very important for him, because the day is arranged by the hour. I learned two important things from my grandmothers and grandfathers: firstly, do not be afraid to grow up and grow old, secondly, it is important to find a favorite thing that you will burn all your life.
My grandfather, Vladimir Dmitrievich, lived 88 years and died on Victory Day this year. He was extremely rarely irritated, loved his family very much and always followed the advice of my grandmother, and then his second wife - perhaps it was calm and tranquility that helped him live so long. He always listened attentively to his interlocutors, was interested in everything he was told. My grandfather was very fond of technology: somehow, my mother bought a slow cooker and called him to ask how to handle it - and he responded by issuing a list of favorite recipes.
Grandfather all his life led an active lifestyle. He was a member of the council of veterans, sang songs in a military choir, and even soloed - amateur, by the way, he was engaged all his life. Once he was a cabin boy on the Solovetsky Islands, and at an old age he was endlessly invited to the holidays by a young man, and he visited them. I would like to be like him in terms of an active life position: to take part in the lives of others, to be among people, to participate in some events. My grandfather never gave direct advice to me or mom. But I would say that his principle was devotion to his family and loved ones.
I also want to tell about my great-grandmother Zina - she lived 85 years. Most of all she loved to read - anywhere, anytime. There were cases when she, for example, swept the floor and saw a book left by one of the children. She picked up this book and began to read, transfixed with a broom in her hand. When her daughter (my great-aunt) came home angry because of an unfair situation at work, she said: "Yes, you spit on everything. Go sleep and sleep, sleep!" - and this was her main advice on life.
My grandfather, Jozef Emil, is 94 years old this year. Despite his age, he lives alone in a country house and independently manages the household, refusing to move in with someone from the children. Of course, someone close to him visits him every day. Grandpa has the tidiest lawn, garden and vegetable garden in the area. Every year he, referring to the gardener's calendar, as if planting vegetables along a ruler, with which he treats the whole family. If I don’t want to do something, I think of a grandfather who never puts things off until later. He just does not know what laziness is.
Grandpa is restless and doesn’t like to depend on others, but he is also impatient and punctual. Recently, my brother came to him and found his grandfather on the roof - he was trying to fix a broken antenna, because he did not wait for the arrival of the technician. A couple of years ago, my grandfather asked one of his grandchildren to take him to the city, but his grandson was late for some time and did not find him at home. Suspecting something, he drove straight into the city - and halfway met his grandfather, who was pedaling a bicycle pedal.
Even grandfather Yuzef independently drowns the house with coal. He was offered to install a modern heating system, but he jokes that all these innovations will leave him out of business. Every time when coal is brought to him, one of the grandchildren comes to the grandfather to help drag the coal to the boiler room. And if you are at least fifteen minutes late, you will surely find your grandfather, who with the vigor of a young man has already done half of the work.
Despite the fact that grandfather, like any elderly person, often has a pain, he never complains and always remains cheerful and cheerful. He fought, experienced hunger and poverty, saw a lot of pain and suffering. Thirty years ago, he lost his wife, he had three strokes. Grandfather often tells us grandchildren that we should rejoice every day about what we have, to love our loved ones and never be sad. I often recall these simple, but such important and wise words in difficult moments of my life.
My husband's grandfather, Vasily Matveyevich, is 98 years old. He is the second child of ten in the family, a war veteran, engineer and economist, doctor of economic sciences. В своём возрасте он соблюдает несколько правил: разнообразное питание, физическая активность - две прогулки в день и утренняя зарядка. Ещё пару лет назад он писал статьи и книги, всегда только шариковой ручкой - и думаем, что именно это позволило ему сохранить ясность ума. Его основные качества - это спокойствие и невозмутимость, хотя положительные чувства он может проявлять очень эмоционально. Он читает женщинам стихи, стихами же воспевает правнуков.At the same time, his life cannot be called easy: he survived the war, lost his first wife and son, and in thirty years experienced a clinical death.
We are equal to him precisely in terms of preserving bodily, mental and spiritual harmony. He also does not focus on trouble: the most difficult moments quickly digest and goes on. It seems that those around him do not perceive him as an old man - he is a grown man, not an old man. Next to him, it becomes good to others - everyone notices this. This is some kind of invisible, invisible support to other people according to our strength: earlier by deed, now by words, but each of us feels that this is meant for him and greatly supports.
I am engaged in social security of veterans and participants of the Great Patriotic War in Moscow. These are elderly people - and many of them are impressed with their love for life, activity, and optimism. For example, one of my charges is Valentina Grigorievna, who is 86 years old, and swims for two hours every day. She is always up to date and easily finds a common language with the younger generation, aware of what the Internet is, although she herself does not use it. It was her example that proved that movement is really life. I like her sense of humor, inner calm - and I learn, like her, to accept any events or any people in life, even if I don’t like them.
I meet many elderly people, some of them are about a hundred years old, and made certain conclusions about those who are surprisingly active. These are mostly people who read a lot, who have a daily routine, a system in their daily activities. They simply and not too plentifully eat, do exercises and walk in any weather - and all life engaged in physical culture, skated and skied, swam, went hiking.
Many of them are lonely and have experienced the loss of more than one close person. When asked where they get the strength to live and enjoy the little things, they answer that you just need to live on. I increasingly think that we ourselves make our life difficult - and the joy in simple things. To meet old age, you need to learn how to relate to life, people and situations are easier, to let go of unnecessary things. And then there are simple foods and more to move.
My dad, Boris Grigorievich, will soon be 88 - and he is busy from morning until late evening with chores. He has a vegetable garden, beehives, rabbits and chickens - and he even makes incubators for the chickens. He specifically goes for bread to the store, which is far away, to walk on foot. I can talk endlessly about my dad: he has been practicing yoga, and since childhood he has introduced us to a certain dietary system; by profession he is an engineer-inventor, and also a former mountaineer, a photographer; plays several musical instruments and remains the soul of any company. It feeds healthy, simple, without frills food that he prepares himself. He drinks alcohol moderately and never smoked - but my great-grandfather, who lived to be 101 years old, smoked a fringe all his life.
In general, along the line of the father in our family almost all long-livers. These are people who have never been lazy, were glad of physical labor in all its manifestations. The sofa, slippers and TV are not their story, on the contrary - the garden, the bees, the household farm from the early morning, and everything is a pleasure, and not as a burden. I would really like to have as much energy as my dad. I think it is the constant cares about the housework, things that are planned in advance, prolong life. A person knows what he has to do every day, does not allow himself to relax or become depressed, he simply has no time. All my long-livers relatives also have a great sense of humor and they are optimists.
As for the philosophical side - my grandmother, for example, always taught me to give in. She said that you should not go into conflict, especially when it comes to household trifles. Dad always helped everyone and helped, and without compensation - and this was passed on to me from him along with optimism. I would also like to learn to be as hardworking and never grumble at fate, admit my guilt and never shift the responsibility to others. It would be necessary and more physical activity, walking on foot - like a dad who walks daily and does exercises for the back.