A woman who celebrated her 105th birthday last month insists the secret to a long life and a sharp mind comes down to two things – and they’re simpler than many health gurus claim.
Daisy Taylor, who was born in 1919 in Leytonstone, east London and has 25 great-grandchildren, admits she ‘never thought’ she would live as long as she has.
But thinking back to her recent birthday party, she says, “I had a great time and I didn’t want it to end.”
Mrs Taylor left school at 14 and worked in mechanical engineering; had a stint in a soap factory; and later managed a bakery and several cafes.
At the age of 19, she met her late husband, Ray, at an Electric Light Company social event.
The couple built a happy life together, raising three children, Pat, John and Jean, and sharing hobbies such as traveling, dancing and attending theater shows.
Mrs Taylor said: ‘I used to do the foxtrot and the fast walk. I’ve always had a very active life.’
Ray sadly passed away in 1981, at the age of 61, but even now, after living well over a century, Mrs. Taylor still has a love of exercise and fitness.
Daisy Taylor, who was born in 1919 in Leytonstone, east London and has 25 great-grandchildren, admits she ‘never thought’ she would live as long as she has
Mrs Taylor left school at 14 and worked in mechanical engineering; had a stint in a soap factory; and later managed a bakery and several cafes
Indeed, she credits two things every day, which – along with appreciating “the little things” – contribute to her astonishing longevity.
Ms Taylor moved from her home in Stratford, east London, to Care UK’s Manor Lodge, Chelmsford, Essex, in April 2022 – where she teaches weekly yoga and dance classes, in addition to doing stretches every morning.
Her favorite pose is the standing half-moon pose because it gives her a “good stretch.”
She thinks yoga has improved her mind and says she has become “brainier” in old age.
At the age of 105, Mrs Taylor is determined to ‘keep moving’ because she doesn’t like ‘sitting in the chair too long’ and this allows her to enjoy her life and ‘see so many nice things’.
She added: “My secret is that when you wake up every day, you have fun.
‘I like talking to people, I like the little things and I enjoy being busy. I definitely enjoy yoga to keep myself fit, and I do my exercises in the morning.
‘I used to do yoga on the floor, on the carpet, but now I mainly do it in my chair.
Ms Taylor moved in April 2022 from Care UK’s Manor Lodge, Chelmsford, Essex – where she teaches weekly yoga and dance classes, in addition to doing stretches every morning
“I can do it on the floor, but I’ll need someone to watch me in case I need help getting up.”
Ms. Taylor’s favorite yoga pose is the standing half-moon pose, where she stands upright with her arms above her head and gently moves them back and forth.
She says yoga keeps her mind sharp and jokes: ‘I think I’m becoming more and more intelligent. I also do crafts and paint.’
Mrs. Taylor’s passion for staying active has inspired her to encourage her family to get more exercise.
Laughing, she said, “I tell my friends and family to exercise, but they don’t want to do it.
“I would tell people to stand up straight and move your shoulders around and around.” But take it easy to start with.
“I don’t like to sit in the chair for too long,” she added. ‘I like a breath of fresh air. I’m definitely enjoying my life because it’s a fun life right now.
“I love people, and I love living longer because I’ll see so many nice things.”
Ms. Taylor’s favorite yoga pose is the standing half-moon pose, where she stands upright with her arms above her head and gently moves them back and forth
In November, the team at her care home threw her a birthday party, complete with a custom cake made by the home’s chef.
Reaching this milestone age is something Ms. Taylor “absolutely never” could have imagined, even though longevity runs in her family.
Her sister, who also lives in the care home, is 103, and their five other siblings all lived into their 90s.
“I think it’s a good thing,” Ms. Taylor explained. “When I wake up in the morning, I say, it’s another day, and I get to work.”
However, Mrs Taylor is not Britain’s oldest woman; that title currently belongs to Ethel May Caterham, who celebrated her 115th birthday in August.
Mrs Caterham is also now the oldest person in Europe and the fourth oldest in the world, following the death of the world’s oldest person, Maria Branyas Morera, from Spain. at the age of 117.
Her long life spanned two world wars, the Cuban missile crisis, the first moon landings, the fall of the Berlin Wall and six different British monarchs, and survived Covid-19 in 2020.
When asked about her secret to longevity, Mrs Caterham said: ‘Never argue with anyone. I listen and I do what I like!’