We don’t know about fish and chips contributing to anyone’s longevity, but the oldest man alive certainly had some other good advice about how to beat the mortality odds.
John Alfred Tinniswood, an 111-year-old Englishman, said his secret can be summed up in two words — one you can do something about, one you can’t.
The first is “moderation.” Tinniswood said that besides not smoking, he doesn’t drink too much alcohol, doesn’t eat too much and doesn’t exercise too much. Enjoying life’s pleasures in small quantities is better for you than in large doses.
The second is “luck.” Everyone is born with a genetic makeup that predisposes them to good health or bad. Not much you can do about that. Also no one can determine in what circumstances they will be born. If you are born into poverty or a war zone, the odds of a long life diminish, too.
The bottom line would be: If you want to exceed the average life expectancy and not drive yourself crazy in the process, focus on those things you can affect and don’t worry about those you can’t.
