Recently, I read an article in the AARP magazine that I found interesting. The author wrote about his two grandmothers, who both remained healthy and lived to be 104 years old but led very different lifestyles. One grandmother seemed to do all the “right” things, including eating healthily, exercising, and getting enough sleep, while the other ate fatty foods and candy, sat on the couch, and watched TV. How does one explain the longevity of these two women? Is it their genes, lifestyles, sleep patterns, exercise habits, or purpose? Although it’s difficult to determine for sure, researchers are now uncovering subtler factors that may influence how long we live.
In the 1950s, approximately 2,300 Americans reached the age of 100 each year. Last year, more than 101,000 Americans celebrated their 100th birthday, and by 2054, that number is expected to soar to 422,000. Additionally, 18% of Americans are currently 65 years old or older, and by 2054, this number is predicted to increase to 24%. Although doctors advise us to eat healthily, exercise regularly, reduce stress, get enough sleep, and undergo preventive screenings, scientists are discovering surprising factors that extend beyond this usual advice.
New research shows that mentally tough individuals tend to live longer, especially women. In a study conducted last year with 10,000 older Americans, it was found that those with high resilience (those who remained calm under pressure, persevered in tough times, and felt their lives had purpose) were half as likely to die over a ten-year period as less-resilient individuals. This suggests that mental toughness may be as important for longevity as physical health, much like how exercise strengthens muscles and builds endurance. Going through stress increases one’s capacity to deal with greater stressors over time.
Love and strong social connections are other cornerstones of healthy aging. Strong social connections are associated with a 50% greater likelihood of living longer, suggesting that your bond with the people around you may be the ultimate key to aging well. The Harvard Study of Adult Development tracked the lives of hundreds of people over decades and suggests that the strongest predictor of healthy aging isn’t wealth, social status, or lifestyle, but the quality of one’s relationships. Those who were happily married and in warm, supportive relationships tended to live longer and happier than others, as loneliness tends to be as damaging as smoking and alcoholism as we age. Healthy relationships were found to have emotional and cognitive benefits, with individuals performing better on memory tests two and a half years later than those with weak social ties.
Tom Cole, author of The Oxford Book of Aging, believes that, beyond genetics and lifestyle, the power of belief is essential to a long life. This includes our religious faith and the deep conviction that tomorrow brings promise. Researchers at the Ohio State University identified that religious affiliation alone can add as many as nine years to a person’s life. Another study showed that women who regularly attended religious services had a 33% lower mortality rate than those who did not. The power of belief also includes something meaningful to believe in, whether it be family, community, or a purpose.
A study by the Boston University School of Medicine found that individuals who maintained a positive outlook had a 50–70% greater likelihood of reaching age 85 than those who didn’t, and those who embraced the positive aspects of aging lived an average of 7.6 years longer. Having a positive mental outlook can significantly impact our physical reality.
Although there is no clear-cut formula to ensure we all live to be 100, there are steps we can take to enhance the quality of our lives. While we need to eat healthily, exercise, get quality sleep, and get preventative screenings (see your doctor regularly), it is equally important to ensure our emotional needs are met (our relationship with God, our families, friends, and ourselves). Although it may sound easy, time and effort need to be invested in each of these relationships if we wish to thrive and benefit from them.
Reference:
- AARP Magazine, “The Tale of Two Grandmothers,” by David Hochman, June/July 2025.
