Longevity is influenced by several uncontrollable factors such as age, gender and race.
However, lifestyle habits such as reading, writing, maintaining curiosity, socialising, enjoying a healthy diet and exercising can also have a huge impact on a person's lifespan and should not be overlooked.
An 81-year-old has shared his secret to old age, naming the longevity-boosting activity he does every morning.
On his podcast Old Me Living Better, octogenarian Mike stated: "For the last 50 years, I have been living out this idea of my passion.
Mike writes in his journal daily about how he can improve each day
YouTube/Old Me Living Better
"It has taken on different perspectives over the years, but it's based on the idea that every day, I spend the first hour of the day reading and writing in my journal."
Mike also asks himself one question every single day. He said: "The question has changed over the years, but it is a question that has ended up defining my life.
"The question I have come up with that I ask myself every morning is: how can I live better today?"
The 81-year-old writes down his thoughts about the question, aiming to be "one per cent better" than the day before.
He added: "It's not, 'How can I live better in 10 years?', or 'How could I have lived in the past?'. I focus on 'How can I live better today?'"
From his reflections, the octogenarian initiates a "call to action" (CTA) to better himself from the day before.
He said: "You can do this at 20, 30 or 40 years old. It does not matter. It should focus on wanting to do the CTAs for the day you're living in. Tell yourself, 'I want my day-to-day to be at least one step better.'"
His writings and readings support a study published by Science Direct, which noted: "A 20 per cent reduction in mortality was observed for those who read books, compared to those who did not read books."
Mike revealed that he has worked with seniors from 65 to 111 for over 35 years and that they have helped shape his outlook.
"I've listened to how they've lived their life and how it's ended," he explained. "I have learned a lot from them, and it was a cultural shock for me."
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'I spend the first hour of the day reading and writing in my journal'
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"From this, my passion all of my life has been helping people to live better, one day at a time."
The 81-year-old lives his daily life trying to inspire others, following a motto he has developed.
He told his listeners: "My motto I have now lived by for years is: if you aren't dead, you aren't done. It's the idea that no matter how old you are, you are not done."
A 101-year-old who does not take medication also shared what they credit to living a long life.
