We all want to live long, but what good is living long if you’re not living well? Golfing legend Gary Player seems to have hacked this system. He recently stepped into Longevity’s space, and when an 88-year-old with more vitality than most Gen-Z’ers (I’m calling myself out here) tells you his secrets to longevity, you listen. Who better than him to give us the inside scoop on not just living long, but living well? Gary Player shared his longevity insights in an exclusive interview with Longevity, for our annual bookazine. Here are just some of the top line insights he shared.
Golfing Legend Gary Player’s Daily Longevity Hacks
Get that workout in
Let’s kick things off by getting into a few of the things he does on a daily basis to keep his longevity in check, beginning with one that I’ve been postponing for the past 2 months; exercise.
I’ve had to constantly remind myself that exercise goes beyond getting my muscles popping; it’s about my overall health. It’s no wonder Gary Player has added it to his list of daily activities to achieve longevity. He’s inspired me to go beyond the treadmill and give the weights a visit, with him pushing 350 pounds at the age of 88. What’s my excuse?
Laugh a little
Laughter might just be the best medicine. Gary Player calls laughter a youthful cell that goes through your body, and I have to agree with that. Have you paid attention to your body after you’ve had a good laugh? That lightheartedness right there is something not even money can buy. So maybe it’s time to reprogramme that TikTok For You Page and make it your daily dose of giggles?
Dunk your body in ice
Vanilla Ice knew what he was talking about when he wrote Ice Ice Baby, because baby, those baths work wonders for your body. Ideal for lowering inflammation, boosting energy, and improving your overall mood, ice baths are on Gary’s list. But sometimes, one just isn’t enough. See, Gary shared with us that he sometimes does this twice a day. But worry not, you don’t need to sit in ice for hours on end, all your body needs is 2 minutes.
Get enough zzzzzzz’s
We live in a generation where we’re constantly on the move. While we’re securing the bag, we need to be careful to not secure eye bags in the process.
The key to this is quite simple: get enough sleep. While experts suggest that we get 7 hours of sleep a night, Gary Player kicks it up a notch, opting for at least 9 hours of sleep a night.
Gary Player, speaking to Longevity’s publishing editor Gisèle WERTHEIM AYMéS for our annual bookazine.
Don’t eat like you’re at a buffet before going to bed
I’ll be the first person to admit that sleeping after a big, yummy meal is one of the most comforting feelings. As incredible as this may feel, it’s not healthy. The solution? Undereat. No, I’m not saying starve yourself, but just don’t overdo it, especially before bed. There’s beauty in eating moderately, and that beauty is your physical and mental well-being. So maybe put that chocolate and ice-cream away next time you’re looking for a midnight snack.
Enjoy the beauty of mother nature
If you’re an avid X (formerly Twitter) user, then you’ve seen the infamous “touch grass” line. While this might be a snide comment on the platform, it’s one we should prioritize on our journey to achieving longevity. Interacting with nature is one of the most impressive things you can do for your overall health and wellbeing. So today, go touch grass.
Say a prayer
When was the last time you said “thank you”? One thing we take for granted is the power of gratitude, especially for the little things. Gary shares this as one of his longevity hacks, saying a prayer of thanks for the things we tend to take for granted.
Press play on your favorite playlist before you go to bed
This is one hack I’ve already got on lock, because who doesn’t love a good tune while they doze off? Turns out, me searching for the perfect soundtrack for my dreams can positively impact my lifespan. Gary shares that his hack is some country or jazz music for 20 minutes before bed. Talk about setting the mood, right?
Take a deep breath
Do you know how to breathe? No silly, I’m not talking about involuntary breathing, I’m talking about breath work. See, nothing can grow without oxygen, so we need to be making the most of this free yet essential gas. Gary does this by taking and releasing a deep breath for a minute.
Money makes the world (not longevity) go around
Gary Player said something that really resonated with me, and I believe this is a belief that can help us collectively achieve longevity,
“Money is not the answer to health.”
Sure, we need money to visit the doctor, purchase healthy food and keep stress levels low, but at the core of longevity, are a few simple things that don’t need money. You don’t need money to breathe, to take a jog, or practice gratitude. These are small things we can do that aren’t just cost-effective; they’re free.
Read more about Gary Player’s health success
This is just a glimpse of the multiple gems that Gary Player dropped on us. But enough from me.
If you’re ready to hear all these tips tricks from the expert himself, then go read his full interview with Longevity’s publishing editor Gisèle WERTHEIM AYMéS in our annual Living to 100 edition.
You can buy a digital copy of Longevity here. You can also buy a copy of the printed bookazine. Email: [email protected]
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