A 101-year-old woman from China has attributed her longevity to what many would consider bad habits, including staying up until 2am and snacking on crisps. Jiang Yueqin, a resident of Wenzhou City, south of Shanghai, still has a full set of teeth and describes herself as a 'night owl'.
Jiang typically has her first meal at brunch time and her second around 6pm, but does not hesitate to enjoy a midnight snack if she feels hungry. Her daughter, Yao Songping, said: 'My mum is just like a teenager, a total night owl! She always stays up until the early hours of the morning and then wakes up naturally at around 10am.'
Yao explained that her mother's nocturnal habits began after a fall severely injured her hand, leaving her with fewer daily responsibilities. With more daytime sleep, she found it harder to settle early and turned to television as an evening companion. Despite her late nights, Jiang's sleep quality is excellent, and she falls asleep within seconds of lying down.
Jiang was married to the late Yao, and the couple were known as 'the most romantic couple in the neighbourhood'. Her daughter recalled how her father would take her mother to the cinema and whisper plot explanations in her ear. Jiang, who is illiterate, now treasures memories of travelling across China with her husband, including a trip to Huangshan mountain.
Even at 101, Jiang remains keen to explore new places with her family, having visited over 20 cities in the last two years. Yao attributed her mother's long life to a good mindset, saying: 'She doesn't get angry or take things too seriously, she doesn't hold grudges. You could say she lives a very enlightened life.'
