Martha Stewart has something new: another book. I’ll read it because it may help me ease down my path to healthy aging. And I’m trying to walk it.
A new book in itself isn’t unusual for her—she never rests—and neither should we. Stewart, at 71, has just published “Living the Good, Long Life: A Practical Guide to Caring about Yourself and Others.”
The introduction is written by Audrey Chun, M.D., director of the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Hospital, who gently reminds us that to “live successfully” into the oldest ages requires:
- A rich social network of all ages
- A meaningful and purposeful life
- A resilient personality
Golden rules of healthy aging
Stewart lists her golden rules of healthy aging, which may seem basic—but going back to the basics and staying there is not a bad idea for most of us. Those rules are:
- Eat well
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Stay physically active
- Get quality sleep
- Wear sunscreen
- Collaborate with a good, primary care doctor
- Find your passion
- Connect with others
- Stop complaining: change what you can
- Stay curious
She wants us to stay active every day, and if we aren’t, to get moving, spend time outdoors, make time to “play,” get “accidental exercise”—use stairs, climb the escalator—and combine travel with exercise.
The latter is my mantra: I won’t go anywhere that I can’t “do something physical,” and the running shoes are always first in my suitcase.
Meeting her match
In case you missed it, Stewart is on Match.com. She’s already had 1,000+ suitors, and has hired a technology professional to sort through the pile. She wrote of herself, “I’m told that I’m a specific person, and that the efficiency of online dating might be a good way for me to find that needle in the haystack.” She’s seeking a younger man, established and professional, nonsmoker with a graduate degree, who’s a lover of animals and the outdoors.
You go get ‘em (him) Martha! I hope she has better luck than I! Somehow I think she’ll do just fine, for losing doesn’t seem to be an option for her. There’s a takeaway lesson for us there, too.