President Jimmy Carter has been an icon of service and kindness. Following him might expand your happiness—and your lifespan, too.
President Jimmy Carter Turns 100: His 12 Daily Habits for a Long, Fulfilling Life
Updated Sep. 27, 2024
Jimmy Carter spent nearly 20 years serving the state of Georgia and the United States, and on October 1, 2024, he’ll add to his list of remarkable achievements by turning a century old. For context, demographic data from the University of California, Berkeley suggests that the life expectancy for a male born in 1924 was 58 years.
President Carter’s legacy suggests there could be a connection between extraordinary selflessness and longevity. He has been widely revered for his decades of humanitarian work and public service alongside his wife, Rosalynn Carter, whom he married in 1946. In 1999, President Carter and Rosalynn Carter received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 2002 President Carter was a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. After nearly 80 years at his side, in November 2023 Mrs. Carter passed away at age 96.
One aspect of President Carter’s life that’s been often overlooked is his dedication to health and fitness. Even until his death, he remained remarkably active. There are even photographs of him building Habitat for Humanity homes, hammer in hand, well into his nineties.
So, what were President Jimmy Carter’s secrets to such a long, happy and productive life? Carter held political office starting in 1963 and had strategies for dealing with all that pressure. He prioritized his physical and mental well-being through an impressive routine of health habits and lifestyle choices, says Fred Tabung, PhD, MSPH, an expert in public health and assistant professor in the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Dr. Tabung and a medical doctor spoke with The Healthy by Reader’s Digest to break down exactly how Jimmy Carter’s health habits promoted not just to a long life, but a rich one, too.
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1. Managing stress in a healthy way
Carter’s life was certainly not easy—one of his most noted political achievements was the Camp David Accords, brokering a contentious Middle East peace treaty—and he faced many political and personal challenges after leaving office. Yet he was nearly always seen laughing and smiling, and people often marveled at his happy disposition after meeting him in person. This ability to seemingly deal with immense stress in a healthy way likely played a big part in his longevity, says Karla Robinson, MD, a family medicine practitioner and medical editor.
“We know that consistent stress can put you at greater risk for many chronic health conditions like heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and depression,” Dr. Robinson says. “Frequent stress can also affect how well your immune system functions, making you more prone to sickness. Learning ways to stay relaxed and managing your stress is one of the most important things you can do to live a long, healthy life.”
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2. Having a purpose
Carter famously defined his purpose in life, saying, “I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have, to try to make a difference.”
Finding your life’s purpose is a powerful motivator to live a healthy lifestyle. For example, in a 2018 study published in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences), individuals who felt they had a purpose in life reported not only better physical health, but better mental health to boot. The purpose-driven folks experienced less depression, chronic disease, chronic pain, disability and obesity—along with greater upper-body strength, faster walking speeds and better heart health.
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3. Eating nuts
President Carter was a peanut farmer before he ever entered politics, and his family still owns a peanut farm in Georgia. Not only did he enjoy eating peanuts, but during his presidency, he kept bags of peanuts in the Oval Office to hand out to visitors.
“Peanuts, and nuts in general, are a healthy source of fat, fiber, and minerals like magnesium and folate, making them a quick healthy snack,” says Dr. Tabung. He adds that they’re even better for you when combined with other foods, like stir-fry, that make the peanuts’ fat-soluble vitamins more easily absorbed in your gut.
4. Spending plenty of time outdoors
Hunting, fishing, and hiking have been some of Carter’s favorite pastimes. In fact, he often gave interviews while tramping happily through the woods. “Spending time outdoors is a very healthy habit to cultivate,” says Dr. Tabung. “Even if it’s just walking around the neighborhood or doing yard work, any time spent outdoors has been shown to increase longevity.”
Plus, we all need vitamin D. Spending time outdoors and in the sun is a great way to get this sunshine vitamin, says Dr. Robinson. “Even just ten minutes in the sun can boost your mood, help you sleep better, and improve your bone health by helping your body absorb calcium.” Of course, wear sunscreen or a hat.
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5. Having a great sense of humor
Carter’s famous sense of humor has endeared him to people around the world. (For instance, he once made a joke about “killer rabbits” that defused a tense political discussion.)
“Laughing, similar to exercise, releases endorphins, a ‘feel good’ hormone that can reduce stress and put you in a better mood,” says Dr. Robinson. “Sharing humor with a group—especially your friends and family—creates stronger connections and bonds you to others.”
6. Playing sports
President Carter has always been an avid exerciser, even into his nineties. He’s been known to regularly jog, cycle and swim, as well as play group sports like tennis and basketball.
“All cardio is great for your heart and lung health, improving your oxygen intake and working various muscle groups, building strength and endurance,” says Dr. Robinson. “Plus, swimming and biking are both great examples of low-impact exercises that you can do well into old age.”
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7. Being in a stable relationship
Carter’s long marriage to his wife Rosalynn may be another secret to his longevity, says Dr. Robinson. “Having supportive people in your life—like a spouse—can offer the emotional support, motivation, and healthy accountability that make it easier to adopt and maintain healthy habits,” she says.
This health boost is so significant that research calls it “the marriage benefit.” Studies have shown that strong couples are more likely to maintain a healthy weight, exercise, take vacations to decompress, and enjoy better overall health.
8. Volunteering regularly
President Carter’s dedication to helping people was the central purpose of his life and the thing he is most beloved for, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize among hundreds of other accolades.
Volunteering to help others, whether that’s building houses like Carter or simply doing small acts of kindness every day, isn’t just beneficial to those you are serving: It’s one of the best things you can do for your own mental and physical well-being, says Dr. Robinson.
“Volunteering should be included as an important part of a healthy lifestyle, especially as we get older, as it helps provide purpose, community, and activity,” she explains.
9. Having pets
An avid animal lover, President Carter had a veritable menagerie of pets over his lifetime. During his presidency, he had a dog named Grits and a Siamese cat named Misty Malarky. After he left the White House, he adopted many other dogs and cats as well as keeping chickens, horses and goats on his farm.
Research has found that having pets can boost your health by lowering blood pressure, reducing stress, lowering health care costs (pet owners visit the doctor less frequently than those who don’t have an animal!), fight depression, and reduce your risk of obesity, cancer, and diabetes.
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10. Maintaining a spiritual practice
President Carter made his spirituality a bedrock principle of every decision he made. “Faith implies a continuing search, not necessarily a final answer,” he once said. “But I do know that God always answers prayers. Sometimes it’s ‘yes.’ Sometimes the answer is ‘no.’ Sometimes it’s ‘you gotta be kidding.'”
You don’t have to share President Carter’s religion to reap the benefits of a faith-based lifestyle, says Dr. Robinson. “Spirituality can encourage healthy habits and behaviors that promote health for the mind and body,” she says. “It can also lead to a sense of hope, connection, and belonging. People who have a faith practice tend to have better disease outcomes and respond better to treatment.”
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11. Drinking the occasional glass of wine
Winemaking was one of Carter’s favorite hobbies, and he even planted a vineyard and started the Georgia Winery as a non-profit organization. He was often seen enjoying a glass of wine with a meal but was known to be a moderate drinker.
This is the way to do it, says Dr. Tabung. “Drinking a glass of wine has been shown to have beneficial effects on health and longevity—as long as it’s done in moderation,” he says. If you drink, “I recommend one small glass per day with dinner, and to avoid binge drinking.”
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12. Never smoking
Despite living through the smoke-filled decades of the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, President Carter never smoked—which helped to protect him from the harmful effects of tobacco. He grew up in a strict Baptist home and his father did not smoke, drink, or dance. It’s possible that this upbringing instilled in Jimmy Carter a sense of discipline and self-control.
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Sources
Karla Robinson, MD, a family medicine practitioner and Medical Editor at GoodRx
Fred Tabung, PhD, MSPH, faculty in the Division of Epidemiology and an assistant professor in the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
PNAS: "Leading a meaningful life at older ages and its relationship with social engagement, prosperity, health, biology and time use"
Originally Published: September 27, 2024
