- Joyce Preston, who's from the UK, turned 100 in March.
- She shared her advice for people wanting to live to 100 like her.
In 1924, the Winter Olympics were held for the first time, the Ottoman Empire fell, and the Soviet Union was officially recognized as a state. It was also the year that Joyce Preston, who turned 100 years old last month, was born in the British town of Stockport.
Preston has spent her 10 decades well. As well as working for a cotton research company, she played the piano and sang in choirs for 90 years before winding down in recent years, and has traveled the world with friends, falling in love with the Middle East in particular.
A few months ago, Preston moved into Care UK's Abney Court care home. There, she starts her day by doing yoga or gentle exercise and loves going for walks.
If current trends continue, centenarians like Preston won't be such a rarity: it is estimated there will be eight times as many worldwide by 2050. And considering that by 2023, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 9.9% of people over 75 will still be working, up from 8.2% in 2022, it's easy to see why longevity is such a buzzy topic.
For those of us who don't have the funds or inclination to spend millions on longevity a year like tech exec Bryan Johnson, whose motto is "don't die," it's heartening that most experts agree that eating healthily and exercising regularly can have a hugely positive effect on our healthspans.
Preston shares her secrets for living to 100 and staying active into older age.
Stay single
Preston never married, and her biggest tip for reaching 100 is to "stay single."
The research on relationship status and longevity is mixed. Studies show that married people tend to live longer, possibly because they are less likely to be lonely and stressed.
But Paul Dolan, professor of behavioral science at the London School of Economics, told The Guardian that women who never marry or have children are the healthiest and happiest because they don't have to "put up with" a partner.
But marriage can lead to better financial stability and emotional support, he said, suggesting that the least stressful option is best.
Have lots of friends
Although Preston doesn't have a spouse, she has plenty of friends and spends a considerable amount of time with them.
She advises young people wanting to reach triple figures to "have lots of friends to keep you busy and for companionship."
According to gerontology professor Rose Anne Kenny, based at Trinity College Dublin, social interaction is as beneficial for longevity as eating a good diet or exercising.
She said this could be because loneliness has been linked to chronic inflammation, which researchers believe increases the risk of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and strokes.
Don't act your age
Research suggests that thinking positively about aging could help people live longer — possibly as much as 7.5 years according to one 2002 study that compared different perceptions toward aging.
Preston said she doesn't let her age hold her back and maintained her independence by continuing to drive until recently.
Be religious
As a founding member of an independent evangelical church, religion is important to Preston, and she believes it has contributed to her long life.
Researchers from LongeviQuest, an organization that validates the ages of supercentenarians, previously told BI that most of the 110+ year-olds they spoke to in Latin America were very religious, and it appeared to help them stay positive.
Religion itself might not be the secret sauce for longevity. Research suggests spiritual people may live longer because of the potential mental health benefits, with one 2023 study linking it to resilience and life satisfaction in older people.
Dr. Joseph Maroon, a neuroscientist and eight-time Ironman triathlete who still competes at age 84, previously told BI that spirituality is one of the four pillars of health for him.
Keep learning
As a member of the University of the Third Age, a charity providing opportunities for retirees to learn new skills, Preston has kept learning into her 10th decade.
Learning new things is thought to help prevent cognitive decline in older age, Heidi Tissenbaum, a molecular, cell, and cancer biology professor who researches healthy aging, previously told BI.