Mr. Universe Turns 100: Happiness is Key to Long Life
Manohar Aich turned 100 on Sunday and has shared the secrets to a long life along with bits of wisdom he has picked up through the years.
Aich was named Mr. Universe in 1952 after years of bodybuilding; he first entered the contest in 1951 but said, "I was not successful. I was determined to do it the following year."
Both contests required Aich to do fundraising through charity shows, and he was successful in raising funds and claiming the 1952 title.
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His nickname "Pocket Hercules" fits the 4 foot 11 inch man who was recently sidelined by a stroke last year. Aich manages to still make it to the gym he owns and operates with his sons. He has built an empire in the gym industry and has only a few regrets about his life.
What is the secret to Aich's long life? "I never allow any sort of tension to grip me," he told the Associated Press. "I had to struggle to earn money since my young days, but whatever the situation, I remained happy."
Studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between happiness and longevity. One particular study in 2011 conducted by the University of Illinois concluded that "subjective well-being-that is, feeling positive about your life, not stressed out, not depressed-contributes to both longevity and better health among healthy populations."
Aich also eats a healthy diet of milk, fruits and vegetables along with lentils and rice. Today's bodybuilders he notes "don't worship their body. These youngsters want the easy way out," he told the Indian Express. Instead of putting in the hard work Aich is used to, and champions in his own gym, they want a quick fix with pills.
The benefit of bodybuilding is not money, though. "I never became rich. There is not much money in bodybuilding. But there is respect, and for that, I wouldn't mind being a bodybuilder in my next life as well."
