Certain life choices increase the likelihood of living to 100.
People are generally living longer than they have throughout most of human history.
Although still not the majority, many people are living to 100.
Genetics and modern medicine certainly play a role.
After all, you cannot fool your gene pool.
Nevertheless, interviews and studies have found that lifestyle choices and psychological traits also promote longevity.
Individuals living to 100 must adapt to cultural and personal changes.
To join the centenarian club, you may need more than a healthy diet and a solid financial plan.
Prioritizing your emotional and relational well-being is key.
What qualities and skills should you foster to promote a long and healthy life?
Resilience and Emotional Strength
Those with greater resilience are able to adapt to adversity, losses, and change.
Anyone who lives to the age of 100 will have witnessed numerous cultural changes and outlived most of their friends and family.
As a result, most centenarians continue to maintain a positive outlook and sense of humor despite facing negative circumstances.
Although they cannot avoid stress, they avoid resentment and move forward.
What can help people foster resilience?
Having a sense of purpose enables individuals to create a sense of meaning.
Individuals can foster purposeful living through faith, hobbies, caregiving, or civic involvement.
These focuses provide daily structure and motivation.
Social Bonds and Connection
Loneliness and isolation are terrible for personal health.
Maintaining strong relationships with friends, family, or community groups is correlated with a longer and higher quality of life.
Regular socialization can reduce the risk or severity of depression, cognitive decline, and chronic illness.
Consistency in connection matters more than the specific relationship.
Whether you stay in touch with family and old friends or build new relationships through clubs or volunteering, it is important to engage with others.
Independence and Daily Movement
Running marathons is not a pre-qualifier for living to 100.
Although you do not have to be an elite athlete, most centenarians engage in daily physical activity.
Moderate physical activity on a regular basis promotes bone strength, balance, circulation, and cognitive functioning.
Staying active through walking, gardening, or climbing stairs is all connected to a mindset of independence.
Centenarians often take pride in making their own decisions and managing their personal affairs.
For those who want to maintain their independence into old age, it is essential to plan for adjustments to home and transportation to accommodate changing physical abilities.
Adaptability in a Changing World
Cultural, technological, and economic changes will all be experienced by those living to 100.
They have had to be adaptable.
To remain adaptable, it is essential to continually explore, learn, and adjust to changing circumstances.
It will do little good to hold fast to the past.
Those who adapt as they age will learn to use new technology and accept changes in society and family dynamics.
Approaching life with curiosity and flexibility helps to reduce the stress of change.
Legal and Financial Planning for Longevity
Living longer means money needs to last longer.
If you plan to live a long life, you should get your financial and legal affairs in order to address rising healthcare costs, long-term care needs, and sufficient savings.
Working with an experienced estate planner is key to setting yourself up for legal and financial success.
Financial powers of attorney, advance directives, and long-term care planning are essential for people at any age but are especially beneficial for seniors as they enable loved ones to support you as needed.
If you do not have an estate plan or you have experienced major life changes since your plan was created, you can request a consultation with our Overland Park estate planning law firm.
Resilience is an essential quality for those living to old age with purpose, optimism, and emotional strength.
Fostering relationships and prioritizing social engagement promote cognitive and emotional health.
Staying physically active helps individuals maintain independence longer.
Because change is inevitable when living to 100, it is important to be adaptable.
Although living a long life is an admirable goal, one must take steps to be financially and legally prepared for aging through financial and estate planning.
This post is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. You should contact an attorney for advice concerning any particular issue or problem. Nothing herein creates an attorney-client relationship between Harvest Law KC and the reader.
Reference: Barron’s (March 29, 2025) "If You Want to Live to 100, Being Stubborn Helps"
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