“The world’s oldest man shares his three tips for living a long, happy life.”
I was recently scrolling through my daily news feed when I saw that headline.
Nestled in between a Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce update and an ad for 20 per cent off homewares was an article that could change my life.
Surely there were nuggets of gold.
A healthy 111-year-old must be doing something right.
I had to find out his secrets.
I clicked on and read with bated breath.
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Was it going to be some kind of magic elixir he learned to make from his grandma, or an ancient Buddhist breathing technique?
John Tinniswood still gets himself in and out of bed. He manages his own finances.
What is the key to being 111 years young?
Fish and chips.
Yep, you heard me: fish and chips.
Mr Tinniswood doesn’t follow a specific diet, and told Guinness World Records: “I eat what they give me, and so does everybody else” – apart from having the British classic, battered fish and chips, for dinner every Friday.
“If you drink too much or you eat too much or you walk too much, if you do too much of anything, you’re going to suffer eventually,” he says.
So, “never over-tax your system” for a healthy life.
He adds: “But no matter what you’re doing, always do the best you can, whether you’re learning something or whether you’re teaching someone. Give it all you’ve got. Otherwise, it’s not worth bothering with.”
I must admit, I was a little deflated by these seemingly bland life hacks.
Don’t walk too much, eat fish and chips and do your best.
Not exactly a revelation in 2024, Mr Tinniswood!
I’ll go back to getting my life hacks from Instagram, thanks.
But as I went to click back to Taylor and Travis, I stopped to re-read the article. Mr Tinniswood doesn’t seem inspiring in 2024 because he is from 1912.
He doesn’t care about the same things we do today.
He isn’t searching for more money, friends or stuff.
He’s not worried about going to the gym to get a six-pack or working weekends to get a pay rise.
Imagine rewriting your own goals and using the words ‘less’ in them.
Less technology, less stress, less homewares, less go-go-go, but more Friday night takeaway.
Who’s life goals wouldn’t be better with this advice?
I know mine would.
Sami Muirhead is a radio announcer, blogger and commentator. For more from Sami, tune into Mix FM
