The doctor Howard Tucker is the practicing physician longest-lived in the world. Specialty neurologist At the age of 101, he has been practicing the profession for more than 70 years.
And in the context of an increase in life expectancy, which leads people to look for tools to achieve a Healthy longevity, who but him can know how to arrive cognitively in conditions to that stage of life.
About how you maintain your Fit brain, acknowledged that “Genetics and a bit of luck” They may have given him some advantage. However, he acknowledged that there is a principle by which he lives and that anyone can put into practice.
“I keep my mind occupied through work, social and entertainment activities,” Tucker revealed the secret that, for him, allows him to continue practicing Neurology at his age.
“As we age, we go through natural changes that affect our mental processing skills,” he explained. Some areas of the brain may shrink, communication between neurons may become less effective and blood flow may decrease.”
And after remarking that “like any other muscle in the body, The mind needs constant exercise to thrive” shared her three daily habits for improving her brain health.
1- Work
Research shows a correlation between retirement and increased cognitive decline. Numerous studies highlight a Significant negative effect of retirement in the functioning of cognitive skills.
And that’s why Tucker hasn’t retired yet. “The Guinness World Records named me The oldest practicing physician in the world” he said, while noting that Sara, his wife of 66 years, also continues to practice psychoanalysis and psychiatry to the United States. 89 years old.
Your job requires you to review medical topics and analyze what’s new in your specialty. For him, Keep up with the latest advances in neurology It keeps your brain busy. In addition, do tasks of volunteeringPursuing a hobby, and learning new skills can also provide great mental stimulation. In this regard, it should be noted that their 60 years, the neurologist began studying law in the evening, after completing his medical practice full-time. He became a lawyer at the age of 67.
2- Stay socially active
Again, supported by the latest scientific evidence, he indicated that Strong relationships can help maintain memory and cognitive function.
Recent studies were able to confirm that the Frequent socialization prolongs life of the elderly. In addition, among other variables, the research concluded that the more people socialized, the greater the benefits. Tucker knows this, and while he acknowledged that unfortunately, at his age, many of his closest friends, family and colleagues have passed away, He celebrated that because of his work he was able to build relationships with younger colleagues.
“Sara and I also make it a priority to have dinner with people in our community,” she said. At least twice a week We eat with my daughter and her husband and my son and his wife. We also enjoyed trying new restaurants with friends and colleagues.”
3- Read for entertainment
The neurologist confessed that when he is not reading about the latest advances and treatments in neurology, Likes to read biographies and detective stories. “Immersing yourself in a good book, fiction or nonfiction, requires your brain to process a lot of new information. I think this is key to keeping your mind sharp,” he said.
According to studies, reading is not only an important factor in the intellectual development of children and young people, but also adults benefit from its effect of exercise to Stop cognitive decline and increase the capacity to understand the social world. Reading books counts as exercise for the brain and evenJora emotional intelligence, according to different investigations.
In previous interviews, Tucker had said that does not smoke, and is maintained Physically active. While he can no longer practice swimming, athletics or skiing, sports he did until his almost 80s, walk almost five kilometers on the treadmill, at a moderate pace, almost daily. He does it with music or a movie in the background, to motivate himself.
Finally, the neurologist acknowledged that although he is moderate in food and drink and follows a healthy and balanced diet, “No extreme is positive”. “So, it is not good to suppress tastes, nor to give them constantly,” he said. He concluded: “The secret to longevity is that there are no secrets. We live every day and die only once, so we must make the most of the time we have.”
