Five habits anchor Livia's approach to aging well: Mediterranean meals, daily movement, close relationships, a strong sense of purpose and pleasure in ordinary routines.
Aronica argues longevity is not just about biomarkers or sleep scores, saying nutrition, lifestyle and social connection shape gene expression tied to health, inflammation and resilience.
Research cited in the piece links exercise to changes in more than 800 muscle genes, brisk walking to slower biological aging, and a strong sense of purpose to an epigenetic age 2.4 years younger on average.
Livia, 85, lives in southern Italy without fitness trackers or biohacking rituals, instead walking to the market, climbing four flights of stairs, keeping daily social rituals and teaching family recipes to grandchildren.
The broader message is that healthy aging is biological, psychological and social at once, with simple, sustainable routines potentially mattering as much as optimization culture.