The Joy of Growing Young
Last week, my cousin and I were musing about how this ‘time-out’ has increased our desire to create a more humble, relaxed life by the sea – perhaps in one of the Blue Zones. These are handful of communities across the globe where the majority of people live to be (at least) 100, with sanity and good health intact. It is this type of longevity that science journalist, Marta Zaraska set out to investigate in her book, Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism, and Kindness Can Help You live to 100.
While the title sums up her conclusions pretty well, Zaraska does a deep dive into study, after study – including some of the Blue Zone examples – explaining the minutae of our bio-mechanics to show how curating our environment, and changing certain behaviours, can help us age with vitality and joy. After all, as the The Danish Twin Study established in 1996, only about a fifth of the average life span is dictated by genes, whereas the other 80% is dictated by our lifestyle.
In Growing Young, she suggests that you should stop obsessing about your diet and, instead, hang out with people you care about because taking Vitamin C daily adds nothing to your life expectancy. While volunteering for a cause meaningful to you pips the Mediterranean diet to the post in the longevity race.
Like Dan Beuttner, founder of the Blue Zones Project discovered in 2004, diet may play an important role, but moving gently, consistently and continuously; combatting stress; and connecting with others are far more crucial to a long and happy life. Zaraska, concurs and adds that as long as you are being social and mindful, being a little overweight can actually prolong your life. In Growing Young, she takes this argument further by highlighting the importance of our relationships to our longevity.
Starting with our mind body-connection, Zaraska says, what we obsess over, plus negative thinking can have an impact on our digestion, mental health, and developing diseases of chronic inflammation. All because, ‘the links between psyche, depression and inflammation are complicated and bidirectional.’ This is where mindfulness and optimism can make a difference. Other offenders to our longevity are – surprise, surprise – regularly eating red meat, being obese, followed by loneliness, pessimism, unhappiness and neuroticism. For example, loneliness makes one acutely aware of negative social signals, obsessive about social threats and prone to withdrawal and distrust. This then creates an uphill battle to connect – all due to a primitive biological response. Knowing this, can help us focus on developing empathy, kindness, agreeableness, and so on, which will enable the development of good relationships, to get us out of the loneliness trap.
On a more positive note, having at least three friends that you can depend on in a time of need can reduce your morbidity by 35%. Even if you are more of a social butterfly, having a wide friendship group increases the diversity of microbes in your gut flora (you get exposed to friends’ microbes and they ends up in your gut; slightly gross but effective), boosting your immunity, and so this large network of casual relationships is better for longevity than exercising regularly. And if you combine at least four positive lifestyle factors like being physically active and eating a Mediterranean diet (including 6+ fruits and vegetables daily) – along with having a purpose in life, being socially extroverted, and caring for others – it can cut your morbidity by a whopping two-thirds.
While the book is repetitive in driving home its conclusions, I found the biological explanations helpful and some of the quirky studies fascinating. So, if you want to know why voodoo curses can literally make us drop dead; why you shouldn’t watch horror movies when you have the flu; and why craving a cup of tea can be a sign that you are lonely, this is a book worth checking out… at least until you can move to your island in the sun.
Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism, and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100, by Marta Zaraska is available now from littlebrown.co.uk £14.99 / penguinrandomhouse.com USD$18.00
Alexia Economou is a design and culture journalist, and regular TNMA contributor @thedesignfeedTW
Discussion (25 Comments)
Ali says:
My Granny born in1895 lived to 107, my son in laws Gran has just hit 100. They are alike in their personalities; both shared an interest in people and a curiosity in the world; were optimistic about everything; read the paper & did the crossword each day. One played bridge regularly!
I wonder if online communities have a similar effect, albeit absent the microorganisms;).
Susan Weir says:
Hi Lisa, I have a great group of special pals on Twitter. We tweet vintage pics, ads, textiles etc. Nothing too contentious, just warm and relaxing and funny. I have met up with a couple of Twitter friends in person and had a great time. For me, Twitter is a real bonus.
Mary James says:
I may well give this book a read. I know that I am a person that thrives on social contact & company. but too often I don’t do enough to seek it out for myself.
I have a happy marriage, but my husband is content with his own company more than I am, so sometimes I can feel a little ‘lonley’maudie says:
Like Ana, nothing to add but makes me pause and think. It is never too late………………….
Joanna Owens says:
Being an ex community nurse and now a carer I can only wholeheartedly endorse what is said. Social isolation and a life lived to excess not taking responsibility for ones own health (sadly and ironically a consequence of the NHS where some believe all health problems can be resolved) will not aid a long and happy life. Some may have been helped to live longer but not necessarily with great quality.
I care for a woman aged 102. She has never married. However, she and her siblings who are in their 90’s have all been active, eaten simply and been socially aware taking an active role in their community. They all still live in their own homes with varying degrees of carer support but limited care needs. They are inspirational especially in these challenging timesSusan says:
Is it the meat or what you eat with the meat( bread, grains ) that causes the problem ?
It’s eating red meat, Susan. There’s a Harvard study here:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/cutting-red-meat-for-a-longer-life#:~:text=People%20in%20the%20study%20who,healthier%20people%20in%20the%20study.
Lucy says:
Ooh, Chestnut Bridle would be lovely (initials: LMY).
A beautiful bag and the name brings back happy memories of pub lunches in Cardington – it’s a favourite mid-way meeting point for lunch with a school friend.Julia Lowe says:
When it comes to handbags I’ve always favoured having just one really great bag that takes me everywhere pretty much. This one would really fill the brief and how amazing to have a British made bag again! I love the lemon pebblestone & to have my initials on would be such so special.
Colleen Putnam says:
Beautiful bag! I bike everywhere and this would be a perfect companion to carry the essentials on my journeys. I like a bag that is classic in design and not overly fancy or bulky and this one fits the bill! Tan is always my go to colour in leather and I love to watch it develop a patina with use and years (I see this bag being tossed over my shoulder often and for a long time). In line with my style, I like to go simple, so, as lovely as embossed initials may be, I prefer to forgo this addition.
Carolyn Yeoman says:
All three companies have such gorgeous bags! And the Cardington is the perfect size for everyday use. I try to ‘buy British’ if possible – UK companies need our support more than ever just now. I love the Dark Navy bag, so that’s the one I’d choose!
Carla says:
Practical and faff-free, chic-not-shouty, stylish not dowdy; supporting small and sustainable business; fashionable beyond fashions; the right size and getting better with use… All seemingly impossible equations! Thank you for finding brilliant solutions for us. Your eye for quality and design is always much appreciated
Christian Paschke says:
Touching, carrying, and owning a Cardington bag would infuse me with optimism. Here in the U.S., we are losing our craftspeople and a fifth-generation, family-held manufacturer employing the community is rare. It would sure feel good to have a tangible reminder (in Chestnut Bridle) that luxury items, when made with a conscience, enrich lives beyond the wealthy.
Hi Alyson, I have known since a very young age that the best years were to come when I might look like and be as smart as Katherine Hepburn, who was ‘old’ and fascinating to me even as a pre-teen. My next birthday will sing in my 70th year and my love of style is still as keen. The Cardington navy with a crisp white shirt and jeans, and I’m there.
Katie Barr-Sim says:
Hmmm, just up my street! Not a designer label in sight. Just the quiet confident luxury of a bag made with skill and craftsmanship, made in Britain too; one which will take on a lovely patina with use and age. Great to be hands free and practical with a Cardington slung nonchalantly across the body. (Accessories for individuals who’d rather not follow the ‘herd mentality’ of fashion – so thoughtfully suggested, as ever, thanks Alison!) Such a lovely choice of colours, I’m deliberating over which one – I think the initials or a message a wonderful idea … I shall keep thinking over this details until I hear from you! x
Janine says:
Chic not Shouty – perfect!
As usual, the makers highlighted on TNMA embrace the ideals of craftmanship, pared down aesthetics and timeless design. Thank you for sharing with a very appreciative audience.
Huge fan of Tusting and the Cardington crossbody.Tracey says:
These bags are beautiful,nothing beats the smell and feel of a new leather bag, and in my favourite colour, yellow, with my initials on, what could be better ? The dream pick me up in these strange times.
Deborah Schabes says:
Beautiful! I’ve heard of Tusting before – would love a chestnut color pebble-grain. I’m glad to learn about Mimi Berry & Doe – definitely believe in chic not shouty” and practical!! Sustainable, small & local rules the day. Love your look & really appreciate the concept and community of TNMA.
I love the lemon colour, the size and look of this bag! Perfect for busy, purposeful women on the go. I am not fussy about my bags either and use only cross body bags when I can. But usually the ones I find are either soft, so not quite as elevated, or far too small! I have noticed the Mimi bags on your earlier post but this one is great for running errands and then to lunch every day 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Justine Cobb says:
Love the Tusting brand although don’t own one of their bags……yet……I’d love too!
Alyson you are inspiring me to forge ahead with making my own clothes. I’m 53 and lucky enough to be ‘retired’. I trained as a pattern cutter in my teens and worked in the fashion industry for 12 years before ending up in operations for an accounting company!
I am just discovering what ‘freedom’ is……it gives me time and space to develop my own style….freedom is being yourself!
Maria Johnson says:
Love the look of the high quality pebblestone leather and stitching, and also love the shape and strap width. Ideal little shoulder bag or cross body bag. Wonderful to see a British brand doing this type of design and quality; I am always sure there are more yet unable to find them.
Dutton says:
I have always favoured the small crossbody bag, the perfect solution for a woman slight of stature and a tendency to tip over with anything larger. Bravo for celebrating British Craft in this post, I have fangirled Mimi Berry’s bags for years and I was delighted to discover the Tusting and Doe leather brands. I love the fact that Tusting designs and manufactures their bags in the UK and have done so for generations. These are classic, considered bags built to last a lifetime, something to invest in and treasure. Products that are the very antithesis of the throwaway culture, Companies like Tusting are the ones we should be championing and supporting. We can also trust that their employees are paid a decent wage for their work and expertise.
I would choose the Cardington in Pebble with my initials IJS, which also stands for ‘I just Smile”, my mantra during the lockdown crisis.
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I have nothing to add, I couldn’t agree more