The rules of life of Elizabeth II: drank oatmeal water and “turned off” emotions

The well-known specialist in geriatrics Michael Gordon, who was familiar with the mother of Elizabeth II, believes that even the 100th anniversary is not the limit these days. “I am a geriatrician, and in my practice there are many such cases. Her mother lived to be 101, which means that Elizabeth had a good heredity in terms of longevity.

However, even the best genetic code can be destroyed by external environmental factors and the wrong lifestyle. Researchers say that we accelerate the aging process if we smoke, eat poorly, drink a lot of alcohol, do not exercise and are subjected to excessive stress. Successful aging is measured both by the number of years and the quality of life – not just the preservation of vitality, but also the enthusiasm enough to make life worth continuing.

So, what was the factor of longevity of Her Majesty the Queen?

Medical examinations and sports

Elizabeth II not only had access to excellent medicine, but also never neglected medical examinations – what is today called medical examination.

Preventive examinations, which she underwent regularly, included general and biochemical blood tests, as well as measurements of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. This helped to identify the likelihood of diseases such as heart attacks and strokes and prevent their development. She also did a regular examination of the mammary glands – mammography and visited a gynecologist.

The entire royal family of the Windsor dynasty is a big fan of walking, including Scandinavian, and Elizabeth II was no exception. She loved long walks around the area adjacent to the royal Scottish castle of Balmoral, where the monarch always spent the summer. The future queen began her first walks with her mother as a teenager and since then has remained an avid walker all her life.

Elizabeth II is also known for her love of horses – she bred saddle horses and ponies, and was fond of horseback riding, which is very good for the health of the spine and lower extremities.

In addition, the queen regularly did physical exercises. The exercise methodology was developed and adjusted by her attending physicians – they determined how many exercises to do per day, which ones and with what frequency, based on the current results of the royal tests. Although the details of the methodology were not disclosed, it is known that light exercises for the back and limbs area mainly prevailed, and one 30-minute walk per day in the fresh air was mandatory. While at Buckingham Palace, she made sure to walk around the garden after dinner with her beloved corgi dogs.

Good Habits

Queen Elizabeth II until the end of her days was the current head of state, received members of the British government, ambassadors of other countries and various guests, and participated in high-level meetings. She believed that an active lifestyle and an interest in what was happening around her supported good health.

Another factor in the good functioning of the body, the queen considered unrelenting mental activity. Her Majesty was always aware of all current issues, and not just a nominal head of state and many British foundations, with which she was connected on duty.

Her habit is known to quickly move from one residence to another, change her environment and always be intellectually ready to perceive the new. So, her unflagging interest in the Internet is indicative – the habit of reading online versions of British newspapers, as well as sending e-mails and messages in instant messengers to her grandchildren. She has repeatedly spoken in this vein: everything that challenges our mind – work, puzzles, strategy games, reading, dance or music lessons, debates and conversations – keeps mentally and physically fit for many years.

Ability to manage stress

Despite outward brilliance, the reign of Elizabeth II was not carefree, and as a mother she had to endure many troubles and disappointments. Three of her four children – Charles, Anna and Andrew – entered into unsuccessful marriages that ended in scandalous divorces and many unpleasant episodes. Some of these adventures threatened the very existence of the British monarchy.

As a monarch, she was not an active politician, but here, too, many trials fell to her lot. Due to the loss of her father, who died of lung cancer at the age of 56, she had to take the throne as a 26-year-old young girl. And she immediately faced wars and rebellions that broke out here and there in different parts of the once great British Empire. In addition, London was a constant target for terrorists of all stripes.

However, constant exposure to stress did not break Elizabeth II, but developed in her the habit of avoiding emotional reactions, which was often perceived by public opinion as “the queen’s insensitivity.” In fact, according to close associates, she treated ordinary people well, often helping them anonymously.

In contrast to destructive stress, the queen developed her creativity, perseverance and interest in life. In this she was helped by meditation, deep breathing and singing lessons.

Also, Elizabeth II had a special love for dogs, especially the Pembroke Welsh Corgi breed. She knew that receiving positive emotions from animals improves well-being, metabolism and reduces stress levels.

Royal Diet

Although Elizabeth II never appeared in public in revealing outfits, she was never overweight. The Queen considered a sensible diet and smoking cessation to be important components of a healthy lifestyle. She was aware that fat cells produce hormones that increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and believed that extra folds, especially around the abdomen, do not paint either her or a simple housewife.

The typical British diet, like the Russian one, is high in fats and carbohydrates and low in fresh fruits, vegetables and grains. However, in the 1960s, Queen Elizabeth II hired chefs from Mediterranean countries who specialized in preparing healthy dishes from fresh vegetables, game and poultry supplied by royal estates. This happened long before the benefits of the Mediterranean diet were known to everyone in the world.

Fish was also a staple of her royal menu, served almost every day. In general, the choice of products for the royal table has always been quite balanced. It was thanks to his mother’s love for natural food that Prince Charles later became the leader of the organic farming movement.

Also, Elizabeth II adored tea, drinking which is a British ritual. She was convinced that tea had numerous health benefits: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-heart disease.

Well, Her Majesty the Queen’s favorite was barley water flavored with lemon or other fruits.

The recipe for barley water, which the whole royal family later became addicted to, is as follows: 1/2 cup pearl barley, 1/2 liter of boiling water, two lemons, six oranges and brown sugar to taste. It is to this drink that the British attribute the fact that their queen had a peach-cream complexion until the end of her days. After all, barley is a rich source of soluble and insoluble fiber, and barley water helps support the kidneys, especially during times of stress.

As for alcohol, Elizabeth II preferred champagne and red wine, but drank no more than one glass a day, believing that if there is no illness or contraindications, they have a beneficial effect on the heart and brain.

It is interesting

One day of Elizabeth II

* A cup of tea after waking up at 7:30 am.

* Morning bath before breakfast.

* Reading newspapers and browsing the Internet at breakfast.

* Morning appointments and gatherings.

* Afternoon visits outside of Buckingham Palace.

* Return to dinner and read parliamentary reports.

* Cocktail reception or public dinner.

* Going to bed at 11 pm with a diary and a book.

Opinion – Yuna Vedernikova, psychologist:

– I think that it is very important that Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip were happily married. They lived a long life together, raising four children and eight grandchildren. It was a stable relationship with her husband that not least ensured her sustainable emotional health and longevity.

Charity was also very important to her – as you know, she provided assistance to agricultural institutions, associations of soldiers, sailors, pilots and their families, and many others. The queen did this because it became psychologically easier for her from helping people. In addition, Elizabeth regularly attended church services. Often, initiation to religion helps to give meaning to life, allows you to look at the world positively and forgive the weaknesses of others.

Protect and improve your emotional health by drawing support from your family, staying in touch with friends, children, grandchildren, and society in general. If you look at spirituality as something that encourages you to do the right and moral things, then religion can help.

Read the material “The mystery of the blackened hand of Elizabeth II was explained”