5 Daily Habits of People Who Live Past 100, According to a New Survey

A hundred people who've actually lived past 100 were asked how they did it. Their answers weren't about diets or discipline. They were a lot simpler, and a little surprising.

Ever wonder why some people are lucky enough to live past 100 and some people aren’t? Are they lucky or are they intentionally doing something that paved the way for their longevity?

A recent study conducted by UnitedHealthcare called “100 at 100” dissects the lifestyle of 100 centenarians and the findings are quite surprising. We assume it’s a basic formula of discipline, restraint, eating your veggies, walking, and the right supplements. But that’s not what the people who’ve lived it say.

The habits that showed up again and again in the survey, and even in the story of 108-year-old Susan Young Browne, who still drives her car to church, were quite simple.

So here's what people who actually make it past 100 do. Every single day.

1. They Keep Moving

None of the centenarians in the survey mentioned training for a marathon. What they mostly valued were simple daily activities that kept them on their feet. "It's being able to get out to my garden, sit and read a good book, or knit a new scarf for a grandchild," one respondent said.

Meanwhile, Browne starts her mornings by doing a stretch-and-balance routine for 10 minutes. She also works her legs by standing against a wall. At her age, she still walks without a cane.

According to the survey, nearly half of the centenarians do strength training weekly, and forty-two percent walk or hike regularly.

2. They Keep Their Minds Busy

There is no lack of brain activities for these centenarians who consider reading, learning new skills, or engaging in stimulating conversation as a means to maintain cognitive health. "You need to keep busy," one respondent said.

Browne keeps her mind busy by reading romance novels and solving puzzles and word games.

But here’s one surprising detail that came out of the survey: 40% of centenarians play video games regularly, and 27% have asked ChatGPT a question.

It’s clear they have kept up with the evolving times and are tech-savvy, too. Turns out an old dog can learn new tricks.

3. They Keep Laughing

To maintain a positive outlook, centenarians make it a daily habit to laugh and find joy. "Laughter is the best medicine, and it's free... A good belly laugh can make you feel better than any pill," one respondent said.

Eighty-five percent said they find it easy to laugh. But there is also a good number who don’t just sit around laughing. Some go out there and get a dose of fun by running, paddleboarding, even ziplining. "Just because you are 100 does not mean there are few things you can do," a respondent stated.

4. They Keep Things Simple

If you’re looking for a breakthrough habit, medication, or diet, you’ll be disappointed, because the survey revealed that these centenarians kept it simple and just stuck to the basics. "This means eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, avoiding tobacco and drugs and getting plenty of rest," one centenarian shared.

For Browne, her daily menu consists of black coffee, an apple most days, no fried food, no sugar, except for her 7UP cake at family gatherings. At 108, she takes exactly one medication, no pillbox needed.

5. They Keep Their People Close

This is perhaps the most important finding in the study because it is the recurring theme for many. "Having meaningful relationships offers consistent emotional support and encouragement. This combats isolation," according to one centenarian.

In a feature on Business Insider, 101-year-old Ruth Goldberg Jaskow shared that she found joy in jewelry making and weekly family visits. Katie MacRae, 106, put it simply: "Just smile, be happy, and enjoy life." Janet Gibbs played golf until 86 to stay connected to younger friends.

Maybe we all had it backwards. We thought longevity meant some kind of rigid discipline. But the people who've actually lived long enough to talk about it basically just valued the simple things: gardening, grandkids, weekly visits, a 7UP cake, ChatGPT questions and belly laughs.

Maybe there’s really no secret. It’s just showing up, day in and day out, for a hundred years. Longevity researcher Ben Meyers said it best: "There's not a single centenarian I've met who was actually aiming to live that long. They're all kind of surprised."