Lessons In Longevity From the Queen

Even though she was 96 years old, the world still found itself shocked when Queen Elizabeth passed. She was known for being a stabilizing force in an often-unstable world.

But what was amazing was the way that she continued to carry out her duties as the Queen right until the end of her very long and prosperous life.

As we look back at her life, she is leaving us with many lessons in how we might embrace and extend the life that we may be given. Here are just a few of them;

Have a strong sense of purpose

First and foremost, Queen Elizabeth knew at a very young age what her life purpose was.

As she shared in her speech on her 21st birthday, “…my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service..”. The Queen was able to carry this purpose throughout her life and ultimately became the longest serving British monarch in history.

Her purpose may have also contributed to her long life as well.

Research has found that by having a sense of purpose when aging, people have better health outcomes, fewer chronic conditions, reduced disability and decreased mortality.

Cultivate different interests

As busy as the Queen was, she also had many other interests as well. Riding and raising horses, walking in the countryside, spending time with her corgis were just a few things she enjoyed.

Having different interests and hobbies can also help you positively age.

Some research suggests that spending 30 minutes a day on a hobby can decrease your risk for dementia. And owning a pet can increase your cognitive functioning and potentially your physical capabilities as well.

Stay current in order to stay relevant

Queen Elizabeth recognized at an early age the value that using technology could have in communicating with people. Over the course of her reign, she was heard early on over the radio, then she moved to television and eventually found her way to social media and video conferencing.

She recognized the need to stay current and relevant. A lesson that we all should consider as we age so that we are able to stay connected with the world we live in.

You don’t have to retire

The Queen was a magnificent example that just because you get older does not mean you have to retire. She stayed active in her position as Queen for 70 years and 214 days.

If your work is something you enjoy, there are some great reasons to keep doing it. Work can help keep you mentally challenged, socially connected and enable increased financial stability.

As reported by Harvard Health;

“There's increasing evidence that the payoff of working past age 65 may go beyond income. Some studies have linked working past retirement with better health and longevity.

A 2016 study of about 3,000 people, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, suggested that working even one more year beyond retirement age was associated with a 9% to 11% lower risk of dying during the 18-year study period, regardless of health.”

Have a sense of humour

As challenging as life could be for the Queen throughout her life, it was reported that she had a very quick wit and sense of humour.

And having a good laugh is really, really good for you.

According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter can;

• Improve your immune system.

• Relieve pain.

• Increase personal satisfaction.

• Improve your mood.

The Queen would occasionally share her sense of humour with the public.

Here’s a great example of her having tea with Paddington Bear and answering the age old question of what was in her handbag that she always carried;

So as we say farewell to the Queen, we have the good fortune to learn much from how she lived her life – and possibly increase our own longevity in the process.