Kathrine Frich
The new studies suggest it’s more about avoiding illness than simply surviving it.
The new studies suggest it’s more about avoiding illness than simply surviving it.
Not Just Luck: There’s a Pattern Behind Long Life
Reaching the age of 100 is rare, but it’s not entirely random. Scientists now say centenarians often share key health patterns and personality traits.
While lifestyle and environment matter, exceptional longevity seems tied to how people age, physically and emotionally.
They Don’t Just Survive Disease, They Avoid It
A recent study from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden looked at people born between 1920 and 1922.
It found that those who lived to 100 were far less likely to have suffered strokes, heart attacks, or other major illnesses.
For example, only 12.5% of centenarians had a heart attack by 100, compared to 24% of people who died in their 80s.
This shows they didn’t just delay disease, they often avoided it altogether.
A Distinct Way of Ageing
Lead researcher Dr. Karen Modig explains that centenarians tend to follow a different ageing path.
Their overall risk for age-related diseases remains lower than those who die younger, even into their 90s.
“This isn’t just about postponing illness,” she said. “It suggests a distinct biological or lifestyle pattern.”
However, scientists still don’t know exactly how much is down to genes, habits, or chance.
They Prioritize Health
While healthy eating, regular sleep, and exercise are all important, no single habit guarantees a long life.
Dr. Modig told Newsweek that even the healthiest people may not make it to 100.
But there are patterns, those with strong cardiovascular systems and purpose-driven lives tend to do better. A healthy body may help, but so does a healthy mind.
A Positive Outlook Really Does Matter
A separate study cited in the book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life found that optimism and joy are common among centenarians.
The research, from Yeshiva University, looked at 250 people aged 100 and older.
It found that those with a cheerful, easygoing nature tended to live longer. Many also considered laughter essential to daily life.
Emotional Awareness Is Another Shared Trait
The study also discovered that centenarians typically had a high degree of emotional awareness.
They were more in tune with their feelings and better at managing stress.
Researchers believe this emotional strength may help them deal with life’s challenges more effectively, protecting both mental and physical health.
It’s a reminder that resilience isn’t just about the body.
But It’s Still Not Fully Understood
One big question remains: do these personality traits cause longevity, or are they a result of living longer?
Co-author Dr. Nil Barzilai told ABC News that the relationship isn’t fully clear.
More research is needed to understand whether changing your mindset could actually extend your life.
For now, it seems like a hopeful attitude won’t hurt — it may even help.
