SuperAgers: Research Shows That Two Particular Things Make a Difference!

Many of us expect to decline as we age: walking more slowly, memory starting to fade, energy dwindling. But then there are the SuperAgers: people in their 80s, 90s and even Centenarians who are as sharp, vibrant, and engaged as folks decades younger. They remind us that aging doesn’t have to be about loss – it can be about living fully, deeply, and joyfully.

What Makes Someone a SuperAger?

Twenty-five years of SuperAger research show cognitive decline is not an inevitable part of aging.

SuperAgers don’t just beat the odds; they redefine them. Scientists studying this remarkable group have found that many SuperAgers perform on memory and attention tests as well as people 30 years younger. SuperAgers challenge the long-held belief that cognitive decline is an inevitable part of aging.

In one study, scientists autopsied 79 donated SuperAger brains, and this research shows that generally these brains are resilient and resistant to the plaques and tangles in the brain which are known to play key roles in the progression of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s.

Part of this is genetic, but the bigger secret seems to be in the way that SuperAgers live. These individuals tend to keep moving, eat well, keep learning, and keep challenging their brains. One of the most famous studies made, which later became a documentary and indeed a movement was The Blue Zones.

Dan Buettner, Blue Zones founder, identified the five original blue zones – the places in the world with the healthiest, longest-living populations, including Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California.

Can You Become a SuperAger?

Here are some ways that you can mimic the five key aspects of SuperAgers in The Blue Zones, as described in this video:

Move Naturally

Incorporate natural, low-impact physical activity throughout the day. Walk when you can instead of driving; get out and garden; take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Eat Plant-Based Meals

Emphasize a diet rich in natural foods: fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Eat less meat, and very little processed food. 

Manage Stress

Practice stress reduction: make a daily practice of meditation or activities like Tai Chi; make sure you get adequate sleep – 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night is recommended for people over 65 years of age.

Find Your Sense of Purpose

Find your “ikigai” (a Japanese concept that means “a reason for being” or “a reason to live”)

Belong to a Community

Create community bonds and social networks: this can be through your family, friend circles or faith based connections.

The most striking aspects that seem to make the biggest difference is not what you eat or how you move, although these are important, the aspects that seem to make the biggest difference are connection and purpose.

Power of Purpose!

Purpose is one of the strongest predictors of healthy aging.

The Blue Zone project studied people in Okinawa, Japan and decided that the Japanese concept of Ikigai – ‘living with a sense of purpose’ made all the difference to living a long and healthy life.

Having a sense of purpose provides an intrinsic motivation to adopt healthy behaviors as we age. Promoting purpose in life is the cornerstone for successful aging and better health outcomes. 

Finding purpose shifts our focus from self-interest to a larger contribution. It leads us to a sense of meaning, direction, and fulfilment. This perspective can inspire us to serve a greater cause and motivate us to overcome obstacles. Purpose involves contributing to the greater good and finding a reason to wake up that is bigger than personal satisfaction.

In terms of healthy aging, finding purpose is a stronger indicator of a longer and healthier life than making happiness your goal.

The Power of Connection!

One of the strongest predictors of SuperAging is a person’s connection to other people. Deep, meaningful relationships appear to be one of the most powerful factors in preserving both brain and body health.

In fact, some studies show that loneliness can be as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day! Meanwhile, those who nurture strong social ties not only live longer but live better.

Connection provides:

Emotional Nourishment

Laughter with a friend, a heartfelt conversation, or even shared silence creates a buffer against stress, which can wear down the brain.

Mental Stimulation

Every conversation, debate, or storytelling session challenges the mind, keeping memory and attention sharp.

Sense of Purpose

Being part of a community or maintaining close bonds gives Super Agers a reason to stay active, engaged, and forward-looking.

Imitate SuperAgers

So the best advice for living a long healthy life is to: Imitate SuperAgers! Embrace habits that fuel resilience:

Stay Curios

Read, learn a new skill, play music, or even start a fresh career! (*You can read more about Brain Health and Staying Sharp in my previous article for Sixty and Me.)

Move

Garden, hike, dance – keep your body in motion.

Practice Optimism

Keep your sense of humor; practice flexibility and gratitude – this helps us bounce back from challenges.

And perhaps most importantly … Find Your Purpose and Stay Connected!

If you are interested in articles about staying vibrant as you age, you can find more on my Website or my Substack Page. I love hearing from people, so please let me know your thoughts about SuperAgers or any other subject that comes up as you read.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you purposefully engage in any of the SuperAger habits? Do you eat healthily? Dance, walk or garden? Who are your connections in your daily life? How would you describe your Purpose in Life? What did you think after watching the TED talk about the Blue Zones?