NANJING, China: A 111-year-old grandmother in eastern China has captured the attention of social media by attributing her remarkable longevity to simple habits, such as viewing housework as a form of daily exercise.
Wang Gaiying lives in Rugao, Jiangsu province, which is renowned as one of the country’s “longevity capitals.” As of February, the area was home to 672 centenarians, according to the Jianghai Evening News.
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Soil Science in Nanjing have linked Rugao’s exceptional longevity to the mineral-rich soil, which produces crops abundant in trace elements beneficial to human health.
Wang lives in a five-generation household, with her grandson aged 60; however, the details regarding her husband’s passing remain unclear.
Even in her early 100s, she actively worked in the fields, harvesting peanuts and watermelons. Although age has slowed her pace, she remains spirited and sharp-minded, often insisting she is not old, as she can still move with ease.
She engages in light housework, such as wiping tables and folding clothes, showcasing her determination to remain self-reliant.
When her family encourages her to take a break, Wang explains that housework keeps her limbs active and her blood flowing, adding that staying in motion is key to ageing gracefully.
Wang maintains a simple yet balanced diet, with her family varying her meals and alternating staples like dumplings and steamed buns.
Her favourite food is fish, which she finds tender and easy to digest. She believes in the importance of variety over indulgence and consciously avoids overeating.
Social media influencer Yaoqing Ge, who visited Wang last December, shared that she once enjoyed rice soaked in baijiu, a traditional Chinese liquor. However, her family discontinued this practice about five years ago due to concerns about potential intoxication and the risk of falls.
Wang also attributes her longevity to kindness, adhering to a personal rule of performing one small good deed each day, whether complimenting a family member or sending a brief greeting to an old friend.
Known for her calm demeanour, Wang prefers to sleep off frustration rather than hold onto it. “I never take my troubles to bed,” she said. “After a good sleep, I often realise the issue wasn’t worth getting angry about in the first place.”
Her routine is equally disciplined, consisting of sleep from 7pm to 7am, along with one or two daytime naps.
One online observer remarked: “Grandma Wang is truly blessed. I hope my parents can live as long as she has.”
Another commented: “People in this city must possess strong longevity genes, in addition to a good environment and healthy habits. Wang’s long life is both a blessing and a natural outcome of her lifestyle.” - South China Morning Post
