Unlocking the Secrets to a Long and Joyful Life: Wisdom from Centenarians

Everyone wonders about the keys to a long and happy life. The truth is, there are countless secrets, each unique to the individual. Centenarians often follow their own distinct rules and habits, sometimes even contradictory ones.

In 2011, 100-year-old Ruth shared with Huffington Post that since age 92, she has practiced Pilates weekly and offered these insights:

1. "Stop fixating on the calendar; cherish every single day."

2. "Choose quality items that never go out of style."

3. "Movement is the secret to staying youthful. I make it a point to go outside daily, even if just for a walk around the house."

A centenarian doctor still seeing patients shared some unconventional advice in an NBC interview:

4. "I believe physical exercise is often overrated and not always necessary."

5. "Forget about vitamins. Also, avoid frequent doctor visits."

6. "Fall in love. Get married. Enjoy intimacy."

Another centenarian woman offered heartfelt guidance on love, forgiveness, and life:

7. "Even if you feel hatred, never let it out. Never hurt others."

8. "Never lose faith in love."

9. "You are responsible for your own life."

10. "Don’t fear tears; give yourself time to cry."

11. "Travel while you’re young and strong. Don’t worry about money; experiences matter more."

12. "Avoid comparing yourself to others. Remember, 'The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.'"

13. "If you feel ashamed to meet someone, end that relationship."

14. "Do one thing each day just for yourself."

15. "Don’t be greedy."

16. "Forgive."

17. "Find what you’re passionate about and pursue it."

18. "Often, things resolve themselves naturally."

19. "Choose your mentors wisely."

20. "Get a pet. Pets remind us we’re all living beings and help combat loneliness."

21. "Your religion doesn’t matter as much as having a personal belief and sticking to it throughout life."

22. "Learn to adapt to any situation."

23. "Allow yourself time to grieve your losses."

Adrine Lee, another centenarian, credits longevity to these four principles:

24. "Keep pursuing your goals and never give up."

25. "Force yourself to stay active."

26. "Drink plenty of water; I even drink tap water myself."

27. "Don’t give up on life just because you feel like it."

Additional advice on happiness includes:

28. "Life is wonderful, but it depends on your attitude. You don’t have to be happy all the time, but be content."

29. "Love those around you. Find the good in every person."

For some, education is key:

30. "Get an excellent education," says Margie Hammargren. "It’s something that stays with you forever."

More tips from another centenarian:

31. "Be optimistic."

32. "Exercise every morning. I use a hybrid of a bike and rowing machine and don’t leave my bedroom until I complete 150-200 movements."

Some centenarians lead even more active lifestyles than many in their twenties. Elsa Bailey, a passionate skier, advises:

33. "Stay active. The key is to eat well, move regularly, and spend time outdoors."

34. "Maintaining a positive mindset leads to success. Negative thinking poisons your life. Smile more—laughter is the best medicine."

The island of Sardinia is famous for its many centenarians. Their health advice includes:

35. "I haven’t taken medications for years," one interviewee shared. "I don’t trust that they help, and doctors often treat us like guinea pigs."

36. "Don’t die too early."

Many centenarians agree on the following:

37. "Keep moving forward toward your goals."

38. "Engage in your community’s life."

39. "Socialize with diverse people; it energizes you."

40. "Always keep progressing."

Many also believe in the benefits of exercise:

41. "I credit my longevity to walking a lot," said one centenarian.

42. "I practiced everything from ballet and Tai Chi to yoga, walking, and stretching," recalled another.

Some even embrace a rockstar lifestyle:

43. "I thank whiskey and cigarettes for my health," Dorothy Howe said. "My doctor said I wouldn’t have lived this long without them."

105-year-old Dr. Shigeaki Hinohara shared numerous valuable insights:

44. "Remember how as children we played without caring about sleep or food? I believe adults should adopt this mindset and not overburden their bodies with excessive rules."

45. "For breakfast, I drink coffee, a glass of milk, and orange juice with a spoonful of olive oil. Olive oil benefits arteries and skin. Lunch is usually cookies and milk, unless I’m busy. Dinner includes vegetables, some fish with rice, and twice a week, 100 grams of lean meat."

46. "Retirement isn’t mandatory; if necessary, it’s better to retire well after 65."

47. "If a doctor suggests surgery or painful procedures, ask if they’d recommend it to their own family. Doctors can’t cure every illness; why undergo unnecessary trials? I believe music and animal therapy help more than medicine admits."

48. "Stay healthy by taking stairs; I skip every other step to warm up muscles."

49. "I’m inspired by Robert Browning’s poem 'Abt Vogler,' which my father read to me. It speaks of great art and how everyone should try to 'draw' a circle so large it can’t be completed. We see only the high vault; the rest is beyond our sight."

50. "The best way to forget pain is to have fun and enjoy life."

51. "Don’t obsess over material things; you can’t take them with you."

52. "No single science can heal people completely."

53. "Find a role model and strive to achieve even more."

54. "Living long is wonderful. Up to 60, focus on family and goals; after, serve society. Since 65, I’ve volunteered and still work seven days a week, enjoying every minute."

One centenarian offered advice specifically for women:

55. "Don’t marry older men; choose younger husbands instead."

What else? Simply live!

56. "I try not to worry and just live," says Katharine Weber, born in 1909.

57. "I believe I can gradually handle everything, which helps me avoid stress," she adds.

Many associate longevity with a modest lifestyle:

58. "I don’t eat much but have a fruit, vegetable, some meat daily, and fish once or twice a week."

59. "I paid off my house loan in under seven years. I prefer paying immediately and stick to this rule—that’s the secret to longevity," says one centenarian.

60. "Always stay busy doing what you love."

Or maybe longevity is just luck? Paul Marcus, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, shared his views:

61. "Good genes are necessary."

62. "And a bit of luck."

63. "Don’t try to eat only healthy food. I eat whatever I want. I think the secret is ice cream."

64. "It’s important to know when to stop."

65. "Take care of both body and mind. I attend classes and keep up with current events."

The true fountain of youth is humor, believes writer Bel Kaufman, who lived to 103. Her advice includes:

66. "Humor drives life and helps overcome all difficulties."

67. "When you laugh at yourself, others can’t laugh at you."

68. "Be curious. Care about more than just your problems—embrace new people and experiences, and simply enjoy life."

69. "No matter your hobby—even collecting corks—having interests makes life worth living."

70. "Old age is not a curse."

Georgia Poole, recently 100, remains a fan of American football. She advised her favorite player:

71. "Be careful and avoid injuries."

In 2012, a Reddit user created a thread inviting advice from a 101-year-old grandmother. Some of her responses were:

72. "Be honest. Honesty breeds honesty and saves you the stress of remembering lies."

73. "Be open-minded; the world won’t seem so strange."

74. "Always listen. You learn more by listening than talking."

75. "Love your work. As the saying goes, ‘Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.’"

76. "Take naps during the day."

77. "Family is everything; hold onto it. Problems arise, but they can be solved if you don’t give up."

78. "Notice and appreciate the little things that make life beautiful; it slows down time."

More advice from various centenarians:

79. "Do something interesting daily; otherwise, you start to decay."

80. "Always learn something new; it brings happiness and keeps the mind sharp."

81. "Sleep well and try not to worry."

82. "I enjoy meditation, crafts, fitness like Zumba Gold for seniors, chair yoga, and socializing," shares one centenarian.

83. "Be worthy of love and respect. I’ve lived long because many people love me."

84. "I drink Scotch daily and feel great," says another.

85. "I eat only kosher food," says one more.

Mary Cooper, born in 1911, told Washington Post:

86. "I never drank alcohol, smoked, or tried drugs. I also avoided stress, especially over traffic jams."

87. "I dislike stress and arguments. I prefer being around positive, inspiring people."

Most centenarians agree on one thing: live life fully. Here are more tips:

88. "Don’t meddle in others’ affairs and avoid fast food."

89. "Laughter keeps us healthy; find humor in everything."

90. "Look inside yourself and think about how you can help others," said one centenarian. "I’ve always fought injustice with typewriter and camera."

91. "Eat well, make many friends, and stay active."

92. "A good wife, two glasses of whiskey in the evening, and kindness are longevity secrets."

93. "Never be idle. Find something important and dedicate your time to it; it keeps your brain sharp and life interesting."

94. "Always approach life with curiosity."

95. "Stay energetic, active, get educated, and don’t dance to someone else’s tune."

96. "Don’t smoke, don’t drink excessively, and don’t retire."

97. "Solve problems as they come."

98. "I’ve always been lucky, and even when things went wrong, I didn’t lose hope. I also ate prunes daily."

99. "Do what you feel is necessary. Don’t overthink; just act."

100. "Take life lightly, enjoy it, and remember: what will be, will be. If you catch a cold, have a Baileys Irish Cream before bed, and you’ll wake up healthy."

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