[Opinion] Secrets of Longevity

Longevity and wealth are the hopes human beings have had since they were known to this world. Longevity does not always coincide with wealth, and wealth does not always guarantee longevity. However, longevity is generally considered to be a more precious blessing than wealth.

It`s surprising that the average life expectancy of the 300 Chinese emperors in history, who enjoyed various types of wealth and prosperity and tasted all sorts of delicacies, was only 36.7 years.

I have heard that even very devoted Christians are hesitant to answer when asked, “Would you be willing to go to heaven right now?”

The definition of longevity has changed over time. According to the Old Testament, Adam lived to be 900 years old, and other people also lived to be a few hundred years old, but the life expectancy of a child born 2,000 years ago during the Roman Empire period was only 23 years, and that of a child born in 1850 rose to 40 years.

The Korean people’s life expectancy also changed: in 1960, it was only 52.4 years but increased gradually to 63.8 years, 68.4 years, 73.5 years, and 76.5 years in 1960, 1975, 1985, 1995, and 2001 respectively. That’s why people used to celebrate their 60th birthday with big banquets in the 1960s, but nowadays it is almost inappropriate to throw an elaborated 70th birthday party.

Secrets of longevity vary. A long-existing dominant perception has been that people’s life is a gift granted from God. As science advances to reveal more about longevity, more and more people believe that living environment effects such as genetics, diet, labor, eating less, air, and water have much to do with longevity.

Some even have a unique claim, saying, “All animals with long life expectancies such as turtles and whales have very long breathing processes. Life lengthens as breathing takes longer. Statistically, a human can die when breathing more than 1,200 kiloliters of oxygen so if one breathes as little as possible, he or she can live longer.”

A research team led by Professor Park Sang-chul of the Seoul National University Medical School released a very interesting survey result about 1,296 Korean seniors who are over 100 years old just before Seniors Day on October 2.

Their common secrets of longevity were “diligence, balanced diet, and positive thinking.” It is also notable that they usually have a very healthy relationship with their family while living with a son, a daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.

As the retiring age reduces and family breakups became a norm, there are concerns that one day we will think of longevity as a curse rather than a blessing and that day might be coming too fast.

Oh Myoung-chul, Editorial Writer, oscar@donga.com