Roger Wonson, a 100-year-old man, attributes his long and healthy life to his passion for music, reducing food intake, and maintaining empathy. To celebrate his milestone birthday, he played the drums with his band, The Current Current, at his nursing home. Wonson believes that his love for music has kept him positive throughout his life.
Despite being proud of not fitting the stereotype of an old-fashioned person, Wonson acknowledges that good genetics from his parents who lived to old age also played a role in his longevity. He advocates for eating half portions of food, drinking plenty of water, and engaging in weight training to keep muscles toned.
Wonson practices weight lifting while watching TV to maintain balance and strength. He emphasizes not overexercising and recently reduced the weight he uses to prevent injury. His approach to eating is similar to the Japanese principle of stopping when 80% full, putting the bowl away while still slightly hungry. This allows the stomach time to signal to the brain that it is satisfied.
Empathy is key to Wonson’s relationships as he believes understanding other people’s perspectives mitigates conflict. He emphasizes listening and respecting opinions to maintain harmony. Stress weakens the immune system which can accelerate aging and lead to chronic conditions. Wonson’s approach focuses on finding joy in passions such as music, photography and lifelong learning through sources like Ted Talks.