World’s oldest person shares her secret to staying young on her 116th birthday
“Eat, sleep, learn to relax and you will live a long time,” explained Misao Okawa, a Japanese woman borne in Osaka 1898 who will be 116-years-old on March 5 2014
Mrs Okawa eats three meals per day, has at least eight hours sleep per night and her favourite food is mackerel sushi on vinegar-steamed rice.
Japanese woman Misao Okawa, who turns 116 years old, receives her birthday cake to celebrate at a nursing home in Higashi-Sumiyoshi, Osaka on March 5, 2014. Okawa, who was born in 1898, was awarded as the world oldest living person by Guiness World Records last June. Mrs. Okawa attributes her longevity to a good eating and sleep. (The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images)
During the first year of Misao Okawa’s life the United States declared war with Spain and claimed Hawaii as a new territory, while Queen Victoria of Great Britain rented Hong Kong from China for 99 years.
Mrs Okawa said her happiest moments in life were her marriage to her husband, Yukio Okawa, in 1919 and the birth of her three children, two of whom are still alive aged 94 and 92.
Her saddest moment was her husband’s death in 1931, 83 years ago.
Some experts believe that Japan’s excellent health care system, community spirit, family life, encouragement to remain active into old age and a healthy of diet fish, rice and vegetables is key to the nations longevity.
However, Professor Yasuyuki Gondo from Osaka University, a specialist in geriatric psychology, said that mental health is also vitally important to long life, probably more so than diet and medical care.
Prof. Gondo’s work suggests that people who adapt to life situations, are strong willed, outgoing and curious will live longer than average.