World's Oldest Person Misao Okawa Turns 117 — What's Her Secret?

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The world’s oldest living person, Misao Okawa, blows out her birthday candles to celebrate her 117 birthday. (Photo: Getty Images)

Happy Birthday to Japan’s Misao Okawa, who turns 117 on Thursday, March 5th. She currently holds the Guiness World Records title of the world’s oldest living person, and is one of five people born in the 1800s who is still alive today — she was born on March 5, 1898!

Okawa donned a pink kimono and tucked a flower in her hair to celebrate her birthday with friends and family. (Longevity runs in the family: Okawa’s two surviving children are 94 and 92 years old!)

When Okawa was asked about the secret to being a supercentenarian she said nonchalantly, “I wonder about that too,” The Associated Press reports. In past interviews she’s credited her long life to sushi and deep sleep — at least 8 hours nightly. “You also have to learn to relax,” she’s said.

But we’re on to her other secret. It’s her way of life.

Much has been written about the long lives of Japanese people, who seem to enjoy full, active lives without rampant disease well into their 90s and even 100s. Japan has the most centenarians in the world with more than 58,000 living today — Sakari Momoi, who at 112 currently holds the title of the world’s oldest living man, is also from Japan.

In the 2002 book “The Okinawa Program,” authors explain how the residents of this Japanese island chain avoid obesity, heart disease, cancer, dementia, and other “elderly” diseases that Western societies take for granted as unavoidable.

The secrets seem to be three-fold: First, Japanese people eat low-sugar, plant-based diets without processed foods and junk. This dramatically lowers their risk for inflammatory diseases and cancer. Younger generations who are now adopting more Western diets are seeing sharp increases in obesity and heart disease.

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The pace of life is often slower in Japan, especially among older residents who didn’t grow up surrounded by advanced technology. (Younger Japanese people, however, are increasingly experiencing extreme amounts of stress thanks to globalization.) Meditation and practices such as tai chi, part of many Japanese elders’ way of life, have been shown in studies to thicken the brain (this is a good thing) and increase cognitive function. Staying active through activities such as gardening and walking also seems to play a big role in Japanese longevity. With all the research coming out about how being sedentary all day long is terrible for health, this only makes sense.

And finally, a solid network of friends and family is also a factor. Social support reduces stress, loneliness and isolation—all breeding grounds for disease.

Momoi reportedly still participates in activities that keep his body and mind working, such as throwing a ball and calligraphy. It’s a great reminder for Americans to put down the smart phones, get up from their desks and pick up a stimulating hobby.

You might just live longer because of it.

- Additional reporting by Courtney Dunlop and The Associated Press

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