At the time of this writing, there are only two people alive today who were born in the 1800s. That makes them 115 years old. Can you imagine? To be that old, it's part genetic...and part attitude!
I had the great fortune of becoming friends with a lady in New York City who lived to be 111. She had no fancy workout routines or crazy diet regimens. Rather, her secrets to happiness are secrets we can all embrace today.
One thing to note: happiness is not just a feel-good thing.
The research shows that happiness boosts productivity; happy people sleep better which leads to improved health; and happy people are more likable. When one is likable, you want to work with them, you want to support them, and you want to be around them.
As Maya Angelou said, "People never remember what you say. They never remember what you do. But they always remember how you made them feel."
So how can you feel happy (or happier) right this moment?
These are three tips from the 111-year-old lady who inspired my new book, Happy Is the New Healthy:
1. Get Back On Your Feet
The 111-year-old lady was married five times! That means she got knocked down four times and got back up a fifth. Whether it's a matter of finances, career, health, or love, everybody gets knocked down in life. Some people stay down for years -- or maybe forever. As the 111-year-old teaches, you've got to get up. Keep on truckin'! It's not that bad things don't happen to happy people. Happy people happen to bad things.
2. Laugh Your Head Off
When a social worker tried to help the 111-year-old lie down because he thought she was tired...she said, "Are you propositioning me?" She was still making X-rated jokes at 111. We all have something happening in our lives that is difficult. If we could come to it with a sense of humor, we'd be so much better off. As Henry Beecher said, "A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs, jolted by every pebble in the road."
3. Eat More Chocolate
When I asked the 111-year-old for her tips on health and longevity, she did not say, "Oh, you gotta be gluten free," or, "Oh, I'm paleo," or, "Low carb all the way!" Rather, her advice was: sex, vodka, and spicy food. Joie de vivre!
Eat more chocolate. Take more naps. Enjoy your nightly glass of red wine. Such behavior is seen in almost all of the supercentenarians (people 110 or older) alive today. From square dancing to bowling to sipping on homemade brandy, they milk every ounce of life from their epic journeys. The oldest lady of all time, Jeanne Calment, lived to be 122. She ate two pounds of chocolate each week!
If we could all find a moment each day to savor, we would be so much happier. I call it The BFD Mantra: A beautiful, funny, and delicious moment each day keeps the stress away!
Dave Romanelli is a bestselling author, wellness innovator, keynote speaker and entrepreneur, who brings a unique, seasoned, and entertaining approach to today's pressing challenges of work-life balance, stress, information overload, and the overall desire to live a happier, healthier life. He fuses ancient wellness practices with modern passions that give people accessible tools to overcome stress, focus their mind, and improve their relationships at work and home. His new book, Happy is the New Healthy, was released in January 2015.
Romanelli is the keynote speaker, sponsored by Goodman Speakers Bureau, for the upcoming SMU Colorado in July. Register today!