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We can learn much from people who continue to live productive lives into their 80s and 90s. Doctors in this demographic have a unique perspective, as they can tap into their decades of knowledge from their medical practice and their personal experiences dealing with Father Time.

To discover some of the secrets to longevity, we turned to two Harvard physicians: Dr. Marshall Wolf, 87, and Dr. Mitchell Rabkin, 94. Dr. Wolf is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and emeritus vice chairman for medical education at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Rabkin is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and former president of Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Here's some of what they've learned about keeping the body and mind strong, healthy, and thriving.

Commit to exercise. Dr. Wolf subscribes to a "use it or lose it" exercise philosophy. "If I'm not active, I won't stay active," he says. Dr. Wolf believes commitment is key, and he devotes 30 minutes daily to exercise, using a combination of free weights for strength training and treadmill speed walking for cardio and endurance.

His treadmill routine is especially beneficial as he can track his progress and adjust the speed and incline to make workouts more challenging. "I've progressed from walking half a mile to almost two miles on a regular basis, and I increase the incline to replicate uphill walking," he says.

Be diligent about check-ups. Dr. Rabkin says regular medical exams and screenings become essential as one ages. But he adds that actively monitoring your health is equally important. "The interaction with your doctor is often brief, so the more information you can share about your health, the better diagnosis you can receive." He recommends men keep regular tabs on health information like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, weight, and sleep duration and share any changes with their doctor.

Plan dinner dates. Research has shown that social engagement helps to lower the risk of dementia. While maintaining social ties can be challenging as you age, Dr. Wolf overcomes this with standing dinner dates with his wife and another couple three nights a week. Sometimes he invites people with diverse backgrounds, like a former rabbi and a New York Times reporter. "Not only do the dinner dates stimulate engaging conversation, but I often learn many new things," says Dr. Wolf.

Read, read, read. A self-described "bookaholic," Dr. Wolf also reads three to four books a week, mostly history and mystery. While you don't have to follow his ambitious reading schedule, Dr. Wolf says reading as much as possible is another way to keep the mind engaged.

Keep working. Even if you don't need the money, working in some capacity offers multiple benefits linked with longevity, like social interaction, mental stimulation, and a sense of purpose, according to Dr. Rabkin. He still teaches and publishes medical articles and believes that continuing to challenge oneself keeps his brain and body young. "It doesn't matter what you do, as long as it's stimulating and gratifying," he says.

Educate yourself. Dr. Wolf lives in a retirement community where he takes college-level classes. (Many colleges and universities offer free programs that enable seniors to enroll in non-credit courses.) He regularly chooses new courses that spur his interest. Some of his recent choices were ancient Greek art, American literature, and the music of composer Stephen Sondheim.

"The classes offer an opportunity to meet and interact with people, and they inspire me to study and think, which keeps my mind active," says Dr. Wolf.

Curb the alcohol. Dr. Rabkin came from a generation when martinis and highballs were welcomed pre-dinner drinks, but in light of research over the years about the dangers of too much alcohol, he now curbs his alcohol intake to an occasional beer.

Eat smaller amounts of simple meals. Maintaining a healthy weight can be difficult as men age. Dr. Wolf watches his waistline by eating smaller amounts of his favorite meals. "I choose among several staple healthy meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and make them part of my regular routine, but eat smaller portions," he says.

For instance, a typical breakfast is a bagel with jam or lox, but instead of eating the entire bagel, he only has half, saving the other half for the next day. "When you eat foods you like, you don't feel deprived, so you can more easily commit to healthy eating," says Dr. Wolf. "And by focusing on smaller amounts, you can manage portions and avoid overeating."

Watch your posture. The "old man slouch" can occur with age, leading to chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain and reduced mobility. Weak and inflexible muscles in the chest, upper back, and core often contribute to poor posture, so Dr. Rabkin addresses this with a body-weight strength training and stretching routine five days a week.

He also walks with collapsible walking poles in public to remind him to stand straight. "They not only help me walk taller, but also help with maintaining balance," he says.

Be a mentor. Dr. Wolf estimates he has trained more than 2,000 physicians during his career and still hears from many who seek his advice and consultation. "It feels good that I can continue to offer something to others, and it gives me a sense of purpose," he says. You can share your knowledge, wisdom, and experience with people who need direction in many ways. A good place to begin is with a national program like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America or the United Way. Also, many high schools, senior centers, service clubs, churches, and faith-based organizations have mentoring opportunities.

Maintain healthy sleep habits. Quality sleep becomes even more important as we age, says Dr. Wolf. He aims for seven to nine hours of quality sleep nightly, with a regular schedule of waking close to the same time every morning.

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