The Rockefeller family is not just oil, banks, and billion-dollar fortunes, but also an incredible longevity that is passed down from generation to generation. The founder of the dynasty, John D. Rockefeller, lived to be ninety-seven, his grandson David Rockefeller lived to be one hundred and one. It's not just \"luck of the genes\" here. Behind the long years of the Rockefellers are a strict regimen, a well-thought-out diet, access to the best medicine, and a special world view. In this article, we have compiled ten main rules of health that John D. Rockefeller adhered to and that allowed him to live almost a century.

1. An iron schedule \"like a clock\"

The main recipe for a long life that the founder of the dynasty formulated at the end of the nineteenth century. His day was scheduled down to the minute: wake up at exactly seven in the morning, go to bed at nine in the evening. Meals occurred at the same time, time for rest and walks were also strictly fixed. Doctors called the main cause of his longevity \"punctual, clockwork habits.\" No spontaneous decisions - only a predictable, stable rhythm that allowed him to save energy and avoid stress. His pedantry applied to everything - from the number of steps to the minutes spent in the car.

2. Diet of seventy-five percent vegetables

John Rockefeller was one of the first in the world to introduce a personalized approach to nutrition. His diet was about three-quarters vegetables. And not just any vegetables - greens were grown in their own greenhouses in the estates. When the billionaire moved from one house to another, baskets of fresh salad and other greens were sent along with him on the trip. Broths and soups were made only from lamb raised on personal farms, milk was \"home-made\".

3. Strict self-control in food

Rockefeller knew what he could eat and did not touch anything that could harm him. His pastor noted that \"no matter how much he wanted a piece of candy, he would not touch it,\" and he never ate tomatoes or cucumbers because he found that they did not suit him. He got up from the table with a slight feeling of hunger, always chewed his food thoroughly and did not hurry during meals. \"I am not on a diet. I eat what I love, but always moderately,\" he said.

4. No worries and stress

\"I never worry. Days of worry are over for me. I do not let anything worry me,\" Rockefeller confessed at the age of eighty-six. This philosophy of \"not worrying\" became one of the main pillars of his longevity. He believed that \"there are enough troubles in the world, and if I can spread a little sunshine, it helps me, and I hope it helps others.\"

5. Daily analysis of well-being

Rockefeller every morning conducted a kind of \"diagnosis\" of his health. Just as we look at a thermometer to note a rise or fall in temperature, so he checked his health every day. If he found dangerous signals, he never ignored them. \"If he feels a bit unwell after waking up, he does not say to himself: 'Oh, tomorrow I will be fine,' like most of us. He starts acting to fix the problem while it has not overwhelmed him.\"

6. Careful use of energy

Rockefeller Senior loved golf, but over the years, doctors limited his play, replacing it with a more gentle load. Instead of golf, he took half-hour rides in a specially designed car. When this also became tiring, he was carried by his attendants or used a wheelchair to avoid wasting extra calories. He even installed elevators in the house so he would not have to climb stairs.

7. Access to the best medicine

The Rockefellers always had the best doctors and access to the most advanced methods. Their estates had equipment from a small clinic - devices for measuring the basal metabolic rate, fluoroscopes, oxygen cylinders. Several doctors kept an eye on the billionaire's health, regularly exchanging information about his condition. David Rockefeller, the founder's grandson, underwent six heart transplant surgeries.

8. Personal doctor and mentor

Rockefeller hired Dr. Hamilton Fickes Biggar on a full-time basis. He was paid to make John D. feel healthy, happy, and active. Dr. Biggar developed a philosophy of longevity for the billionaire that included giving up worries, moderation in food, and daily walks in the fresh air.

9. Moderation in all things

Rockefeller believed that the best way to maintain health was to live in a way that supported it. He never overate, did not abuse harmful habits, did not drink or smoke. In his words, \"overeating is harmful to anyone. I discipline myself to eat moderately, and I have found that it pays off.\" Even with his love for sweets, he never allowed himself to have too much.

10. Philanthropy and love for life

After retiring from business, Rockefeller dedicated himself to philanthropy. He donated huge sums to medical research and education, creating funds that are still operating today. David Rockefeller said that the secret of his longevity was \"love for life, simple things, playing with children, spending time with close friends.\" He traveled actively, collected beetles, and continued to work for the benefit of society until his old age.

Conclusion

The longevity of the Rockefellers is not luck, but a systematic approach. The main lessons that can be learned from their experience are simple: a strict schedule, control over nutrition, the absence of stress, careful attitude towards health, and the presence of a personal doctor. As John Rockefeller himself said: \"I live to live, and I will not think about death until I am a hundred or more.\" And although he only lived to be three years short of his centenary, his rules of health are still a model for everyone who aspires to a long and active life.

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