We all harbor hopes of living to old age, of winding down and looking back on a life well lived while we still have some living yet to do.
The secrets to pushing the mortal needle as far as it will go, that is to say reaching those ages at the upper limit of what’s currently humanly possible, have been sought for a long time.
Living healthy, exercising regularly, and generally taking care of your body are obvious ways to give yourself a better shot at longevity, but are there other things you could be doing to manipulate the odds in your favor?
One centenarian who continues to work as tirelessly as someone half her age has weighed in on the matter, offering a list of four key things she does each day.
Ann Angeletti is 101 years old, so you’ll excuse us for trusting that she’s rather educated on the matter at hand. Despite her advanced age, she works six times a week in New York’s Diamond District, where she’s beloved by her customers.
In an interview with ABC7 NY, Ann revealed that she started working early on in life, leaving school to help run her family’s grocery store in Brooklyn.
When her husband was away fighting in World War II (yes, that’s how long ago we’re talking), Ann took up work as a waitress in New York. She’s been a businesswoman ever since, and continues to run her jewelry business, Curiosity Jewelry in Cresskill, to this day.
The 101-year-old is helped by her daughter and granddaughter, but she’s still heavily involved in the store’s day-to-day running.
Speaking on how she ended up owning the shop, Ann told ABC7 NY: “I was driving by, the store was for rent, and I called the owner and asked him, how much is the rent, and he said $85 a month in 1964.”
She added: “If I retire, I would die.”
As per reports, the store is only open five days a week, but Ann works six days a week, every week.
When quizzed on her remarkable durability, she put it down to a rigorous schedule of “self care”.
“Must get up, you must shower, you must eat, you must take care of yourself. You must exercise,” Ann said. “If you don’t like what you’re doing, then change.”
She added that she has a simple aim each day: “Make the most of that day. I’m happy working every day.”
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