The Rockefeller family is not just oil, banks, and billion-dollar fortunes; it is also an extraordinary longevity 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. The long years of the Rockefellers stand for a strict regimen, a well-thought-out diet, access to the best medicine, and a special worldview. In this article, we have gathered ten main health rules that John D. Rockefeller adhered to and that allowed him to live almost a century.

1. Iron Routine Day \"Like Clockwork\"

The main recipe for a long life that the founder of the dynasty developed 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 were at the same time, time for rest and walks were also strictly fixed. Doctors called the main reason for 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 a 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 with him on the trip. Broths and soups were only made from lamb raised on personal farms, the milk was \"own\".

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 were not suitable for him. He left the table with a slight feeling of hunger, always chewed his food carefully and did not rush 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 self-assessment

Rockefeller conducted a kind of \"diagnosis\" of his health every morning. 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 any dangerous signals, he never ignored them. \"If he feels a bit unwell after waking up, he does not say to himself: 'Oh, I'll be fine tomorrow' like most of us. He starts acting to fix the problem before it overcomes him.\"

6. Careful attitude to energy

Rockefeller senior loved golf, but over the years, doctors limited his game, replacing it with a more gentle load. Instead of golf, he made daily half-hour rides in a specially designed car. When this became tiring, he was carried by a nurse or used a wheelchair to avoid wasting extra calories. He even installed elevators in the house so he wouldn't have to climb the stairs.

7. Access to the best medicine

The Rockefellers always had the best doctors and access to the most advanced methods. In their estates there was equipment of a small clinic — devices for measuring the basic metabolic rate, fluoroscopes, oxygen cylinders. Several doctors watched over his health, regularly exchanging information about the billionaire's condition. David Rockefeller, the founder's grandson, underwent six heart transplant operations.

8. Personal doctor and mentor

Rockefeller hired Dr. Hamilton Fix Biggar on a full-time basis. He was paid to keep John D. feeling healthy, happy, and active. Dr. Biggar developed a philosophy of longevity for the billionaire that included avoiding worry, 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. He said, \"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 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 working 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 actively traveled, 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 regimen, control over nutrition, the absence of stress, careful attitude to 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.\" Although he did not live to be a hundred by only three years, his health rules are still an example for everyone who strives for a long and active life.

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