There are a few people in this world who live off of coffee, and I think college students are some of those few people. 

What if I told you that one of the world’s oldest and happiest people alive is also a part of this club of coffee lovers?

At the age of 119 years, the secret to a long life of one centenarian is consuming coffee and chocolate. Studies have proven that coffee not only improves your day, but also your longevity. 

Drinking one or more cups of coffee is linked to a lower risk of mortality. It doesn’t make a difference whether you drink instant, brewed, or decaf. 

Combine coffee with dark chocolate and you will have discovered the secret recipe of many centenarians. 

Getting your special someone a box of chocolates or even coffee is a nice gesture that cannot be forgotten. With the added health benefits, remember to treat yourself to some chocolate and coffee as well.

While you are on the run for a box of chocolates, grab a drink of water too. 

Of course, water is great for cleansing away toxins, but it also has some hidden benefits.

Water naturally improves our mood through ensuring the proper flux of nutrients and hormones. In addition to that, it reduces sleepiness and increases alertness. This can be a major asset to combatting that early morning fatigue. Drinking adequate amounts of water each day can be a game-changer. 

Something interesting is that thinking happy thoughts may actually carry vibrations to your water. According to Dr. Masaru Emoto, water may be linked to emotions. Based on the doctor’s theory, water picks up on vibrations and changes its structure accordingly. 

Drinking water exposed to “positive emotions and ideas” has a more positive impact on health than drinking water that has been predisposed to “feelings of hate and violence”. Scientifically, it is yet to be supported with more evidence, but for now, we can just think happy thoughts. There is no harm in positive affirmations and drinking water.

One last tip (and my favorite)… SOCIALIZE! 

Socializing can also help improve longevity. It staves off feelings of loneliness and induces a sense of happiness.

This is a great time to catch up with your friends and family. Talking to people keeps our mental health in check. Based on research, talking to people makes us happy and happy people are generally the ones who interact with more people.

Don’t be afraid to share your problems with your loved ones. Remember: there is always someone to listen to you and always someone who would like to talk to you. 

Getting involved in the community can also help you socialize. However, it is not necessary to talk to many different people. Just talking with your classmates or friends can suffice, but don’t be afraid to reach out and make connections. Even talking with the cashier at the store or the neighbor next door can be a form of socializing.

Oh, and after all that running and socializing, treat yourself to a nap. It is the most important part of the day. A short power nap can make you feel rejuvenated. Not to mention, quality sleep is another ingredient to living longer.

Living a happy and long life isn’t hard; it just involves some chocolate, water, coffee and sleep.

Commentary writer Vidhi Parekh can be reached at [email protected]