Avery Hurt of Discover recommends some tips about How to Become a Super Ager. Super agers are people in their 80’s or older and they reported have “cognitive health similar to that of people 20 to 30 years younger”.

According to the Emily Rogalski, head of Northwestern’s SuperAging Project, American Psychological Association (APA), part of the super agers’ brain called “anterior cingulate” which is reportedly important for memory and attention is thicker than most peoples’ brain.

Hurt points out that super agers also follow healthy habits:

Super agers, it seems, try harder. A growing body of research suggests that at least one of the keys to aging well is staying active — both mentally and physically.

Physical activity is good for the brain. And according to the CDC, you don’t have to be a gym rat to get the benefits. Walk your dog, climb the stairs instead of riding the elevator, or just boogie around the house to your favorite tunes — all will give your brain the exercise boost it needs. 

Referring to Rogalski‘s work, Hurt provides the following longivity secrets of the super agers:

Most are physically active in one way or another. That might mean regular exercise, such as biking or walking, or it might simply mean continuing to work. However, Rogalski also points out that physical health is not necessarily required to be a super ager. Many people who do extremely well cognitively might need a wheelchair or walker to get around.

Staying mentally engaged is crucial, too. Learning something new or taking on a mental challenge are classic ways of staying mentally young. Activities like reading books, playing chess, and learning a language have all been associated with improved cognitive performance. […]

One thing that’s becoming increasingly clear is that whatever the activity, whether it’s working puzzles or running laps, in order for it to help you age well, it needs to be challenging. “Our brains like to be challenged,” says Rogalski. Never got around to reading Proust? Still not happy with your tennis serve? Now’s the time. It’s not too late to work on your super ager game.