13/11/2025
What can we learn about longevity from our own elders? Far flung longevity hot spots get the headlines but sometimes the best advice is closer to home.
I’m Belle, a nutritionist fascinated by what helps us to thrive, not purely focused on length of life - but how do we live well? Today I’m celebrating my parents, both in their mid 80’s.
Growing their own fruit and vegetables, superbly physically and mentally active and living to the rhythm of nature there’s a lot we can learn. So I asked for their top tips - of which there were many - so let’s see this as part 1.
‘Don’t take yourself too seriously’.
‘Be moderate with food and alcohol’ … aligns well with ‘hara hachi bu’ (Okinawan ‘8 parts full’ ritual) I’m nut sure thats happening in my Moules’ photo but living life with balance allows for a few indulgences!
‘Walk everywhere, when you have the opportunity’ … simple, consistent. No gym required, just life lived in motion.
‘Don’t fall into the trap of feeling old just because the calendar tells you so’ … ageing can begin in the mind before reaching the body.
‘Buy an MX5 and keep the journey alive’ … love this.
More to follow. The best well-being advice doesn’t need to come from the lab. Let’s learn from the people who lived it.
