Health Update: At 94, he is beating wellness industry worth trillions: 3 habits of a grandpa doctor that change how ageing affects human body – What Experts Say

In a time when the global wellness market runs into trillions and every week there is a new diet, powder or membership being sold as the answer to long life, a 94-year-old grandfather from Tamil Nadu is quietly challenging that idea. His life, shared online by his granddaughter Sindhu, has struck a chord with thousands who are tired of complicated health advice.Sindhu posted what she called an appreciation note for her grandfather, Dr Viswanathan, a retired anaesthetist from Madurai. The video, uploaded on February 15, has now crossed several lakh views and continues to circulate widely. But what really stayed with people were not dramatic transformations. It was routine. Plain and steady routine.

Habit 1: Start Early, Keep Moving

Dr Viswanathan begins his day at 5.30 am. Morning yoga has been part of his life for years, not something he picked up after retirement. Even at 94, and now 95 as mentioned in some reports, he continues to stretch, bend and move with discipline.

His day does not revolve around gym sessions or tracking apps. Instead, movement is woven into his routine. He goes out for small shopping trips at times. He cooks his own meals. He walks around the house. It is not intense. It is consistent.
Sindhu wrote, “The beauty and wellbeing industry is worth trillions of dollars but here is my thatha still walking and cooking and learning new skills (like using his laptop!) Living proof you can live a long and healthy life even without a wildly overpriced gym membership, taking supplements (what is even in protein powder) or growing up with the idea ‘wellbeing’ that we now have to force into our lives.”

Her words were not an attack. They felt more like a reminder.

Habit 2: Mindfulness Without Apps

Another part of his daily life is puja and meditation. He does not use guided apps or timers. These practices were already part of his upbringing. For him, mindfulness is not a trend but a habit shaped over decades.

Sindhu reflected on this in her post. She wrote, “South Asian and Hindu traditions had movement, mindfulness and mental clarity built into daily life for hundreds of years before it became Instagrammable. Not a trend to jump on but a way of life that requires effort and consistency and I can only aspire to have a fraction of those qualities that my thatha does.”

There is no dramatic storytelling here. Just repetition, done daily.

Habit 3: Stay Curious, Keep Learning

Retirement for Dr Viswanathan did not mean mental rest. Even after stepping away from his medical career more than two decades ago, he continues to read medical literature and write about his field. Recently, he has also been learning to use a laptop.

He cooks small meals for himself and was especially happy about preparing mini idlis. It sounds simple. It is simple. But it keeps him engaged.

The social media response has been warm. One user commented, “Thatha, may you be happy live long, stay healthy. Sending lots of positive energy your ways. Your determination has gifted you with a great journey so far. Sincere namaskarams to you. My best wishes.” Another joked, “Why the lie? Why is a 50-year old being called 94?”

Interestingly, this is not the only story that has gone viral recently. Actor Milind Soman shared a video of his 86-year-old mother skipping rope, drawing similar reactions online. People seem to be looking for examples that feel real.

What stands out in Dr Viswanathan’s case is not biohacking or optimisation. It is discipline, faith, food cooked at home and a mind that refuses to shut down. No shortcuts. No expensive shortcuts either.