101-Year-Old Man Reveals the Secret to Long and Happy Aging
Paul Snyder maintains that relationships keep him going.
The odds of living to 100 are extremely low with less than one percent of Americans making it to the triple digits. This is why it is so fascinating when someone manages to make it past the milestone. Paul Snyder, 101, is one of the lucky few. He recently revealed his secret to a long and happy life in an interview with The Washington Post.
1
Paul Snyder Is Almost 102
Snyder, who wears a hat that says "MADE IN 1921," is almost 102 and lives in Kensington, Maryland in the same house he moved into in 1951. He maintains his life is very full.
2
The Secret to a Long and Happy Life Is All About Making New Friends, He Says
He claims the secret to a long and happy life is simple: It all boils down to making new friends, he reveals.
3
His Nickname Is Grandpa Paul
He makes friends everywhere he goes, including the grocery store, the doctors' office, church, the nail salon. His nickname around town? Grandpa Paul.
4
While Most of His Friends Have Died, "You Can Keep Making New Ones," He Says
"At 101, most of your close friends have gone by," said Snyder. "But you can keep making new ones."
5
He Served in the Military and Worked for Decades
Snyder grew up in Pennsylvania, and spent time in the military during World War II, serving as a master sergeant in the Army. After his service he spent decades working as assistant secretary of the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association.
6
He Was Married for Over 60 Years and Has Two Children
He was married to his wife, Kay, for over 60 years. She died in 2005 and he has lived alone ever since. They have two sons together — Dave, 76, who lives in California, and Mike, 72, who lives in Texas.
7
He Exercises Daily
Every day he wakes up and exercises in bed. "I'll do the bicycle exercise, then I'll do the bridge exercise, and I'll do a partial sit-up and hold it," he said, noting that he does the bicycle exercise 225 times. While he uses a walker to assist with balance, he says lucky to be healthy. "I don't have any medical complaints."
8
He Makes Eggs or Pancakes
After his workout he makes eggs — poached, hard-boiled or scrambled. Sometimes he'll make French toast or pancakes with a side of sausage or bacon. "Breakfast is my best meal," Snyder said.
9
He Spends Days with Friends and Talking to Family
He fills his day with friends and family. Every Tuesday and Friday he enjoys a three-way FaceTime using his iPad with his sons. "That's another thing that keeps me going. My boys," Snyder said.
10
He Attends Virtual Church Services
He also attends church services virtually at the Silver Spring Church of Christ, where he has been a member for 72 years.
11
He Has Close Friends and Family, But Also with Random People
While he maintains "strong ties" with friends and family he also stresses the importance of having daily interactions with other people, like the people who give him pedicures, and others in the community.
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12
He Says, "You Just Got to Look at the Bright Side"
His other piece of advice? "You just got to look at the bright side," Snyder said. "If you have a problem, deal with that problem. But don't let the problem deal you."
