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- Jane Goodall worked into her 90s. Here are 5 lifestyle habits that might explain how she stayed ‘fit as a fiddle’ for so long. (businessinsider.com)
Dr. Jane Goodall, Revered Conservationist, Dies at 91; Her Enduring Habits for a Long, Active Life
Dr. Jane Goodall, the pioneering primatologist and conservationist who redefined our understanding of chimpanzees and dedicated her life to environmental advocacy, has passed away peacefully at the age of 91. Her death, attributed to natural causes, occurred in Los Angeles where she was on a speaking tour.
Goodall’s groundbreaking research in Tanzania revolutionized the scientific community’s perception of primates, most notably through her discovery that chimpanzees craft and use tools – a revelation previously thought unique to humans. In later years, her work expanded to encompass broad environmental conservation, animal protection, and human rights.
Even in her final months, Dr. Goodall remained remarkably active, a testament to a lifestyle rich in purpose and healthy habits.
As we reflect on her extraordinary life, a closer look at her daily routines reveals several key practices that may have contributed to her sustained health and vitality.
Embracing a Plant-Based Diet
A staunch advocate for a plant-based diet, Dr. Goodall adopted this lifestyle decades ago, citing ethical reasons.
In a 2017 essay, she recounted a pivotal moment: “I stopped eating meat some 50 years ago when I looked at the pork chop on my plate and thought: this represents fear, pain, death. That did it, and I went plant-based instantly.”
She noted an immediate feeling of being “better, lighter” after the change.
She later embraced a vegan diet, recognizing its broader health advantages beyond animal welfare. “Our gut is not made to eat heavy meat and we can get lots of digestive problems,” she explained in a recent interview, adding that she felt “fit as a fiddle” on her plant-based regimen. Research supports these claims, with studies suggesting that diets rich in plants can lower the risk of heart disease, improve gut health, and potentially extend life expectancy.
Maintaining an Active Work Life
Dr. Goodall maintained an incredibly demanding schedule until her passing.
In 2017, she revealed that she spent an astonishing “300 days a year on the road,” dedicating virtually all her time to her work. For her, weekends and holidays were non-existent, her focus unwavering on her mission.
She described her days as a relentless cycle of emails, virtual meetings, interviews, and lectures. Experts in gerontology suggest that staying engaged in work later in life can offer a profound sense of purpose and protect cognitive function, aligning with Dr. Goodall’s active approach to her senior years.
A Commitment to Lifelong Learning
For Dr. Goodall, aging was intrinsically linked to continuous learning.
During a recent podcast appearance, she remarked, “the longer you live, the more you learn, and I don’t like a day that I don’t learn something. Even a little thing.”
She believed that with age came a deeper understanding of the world and how to interact with others.
Neurobiology experts confirm the benefits of this mindset, explaining that embracing new experiences and knowledge helps maintain brain plasticity and can lead to better cognitive outcomes as one ages.
Cultivating Calmness Amidst Demands
Despite her demanding schedule, Dr. Goodall was known for her calm demeanor, stating she didn’t “get stressed very often.”
Her philosophy was to focus on the present and approach problems with a clear head. “If one’s calm, then it’s easier to deal with whatever the problem is,” she shared.
She acknowledged moments of stress, such as travel delays, but her coping mechanism was to seek the best possible solution or accept what couldn’t be changed. This approach aligns with research indicating that chronic stress can negatively impact health, and that centenarians often share a similar trait of not worrying about things beyond their control.
Finding Solace in Nature
It comes as no surprise that a life spent studying the natural world led Dr. Goodall to find immense solace and happiness in nature.
“A happy day for me is if I can be out in nature somewhere,” she stated. Even in urban settings, she sought out green spaces, sometimes arranging her hotel room to gaze upon a single tree.
Her time alone in the rainforest, observing chimpanzees, was often described as a “spiritual experience,” where she felt a profound connection, not merely as an observer but as an integral “part of that world.” Scientific studies corroborate the positive health effects of spending time outdoors, including improved memory, reduced inflammation, and lower blood pressure.
Dr. Goodall’s legacy extends far beyond her scientific discoveries, offering a blueprint for a life lived with passion, purpose, and a profound connection to the world around us.