The Secret to Living Beyond 100 & Loving Every Minute

Written by our Founder and Chairman, the Celebrations Pulse letters aim to engage with our community. By welcoming your ideas and sharing your stories, we want to help you strengthen your relationships with the most important people in your life.

Here’s a statistic that gave me pause: By 2054, the number of Americans living past 100 is expected to quadruple! That’s not a typo. According to Pew Research, we’ll have over 400,000 centenarians compared with about 100,000 today.

It’s an incredible shift that raises some big questions: How can we give ourselves the best shot at reaching that milestone? And once we get there, how well will we live? What will we do with the gift of extra time, and how can we make it count? It’s a lot of questions, I know, but if we’re going to live longer, we now have more time to answer them…

I’ve been in the flower and gift business for almost 50 years. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life’s magic happens in milestones and moments. There are the birthdays and the holidays, but also the unplanned laughter, the quick phone call that turns into a two-hour conversation, and the unexpected hugs that say more than words ever could.

So, when I think about living beyond 100, I picture more candles on more cakes, and more sitting on the porch with family, hearing my great-grandchildren ask questions no one’s thought to ask before. And I imagine still telling stories — and ears ready to hear them.

The keys to a longer life

You’ll often hear that the secret to a long life lies in medicine or winning the genetic lottery. Sure, both clearly play a role, but researchers are learning that longevity is about far more than prescriptions and DNA. 
In fact, many of the most powerful tools for living past 100 are well within our control that we’ve been hearing about for years. Rather than fancy equipment or elite healthcare, they just require persistence and the right mindset. Let’s start with the basics.

Exercise

There’s no need to train for a marathon. In fact, most centenarians (or any genarian) don’t. What they do is move naturally and regularly, whether it’s gardening, walking, or doing chores. A Harvard study found that even modest activity, like only walking 4,000 steps per day, was associated with lower mortality rates in older adults. The key isn’t intensity but consistency.

Sleep

Poor sleep has been linked to everything from weakened immune function to obesity to increased risk of dementia. On the flip side, good sleep hygiene like regular bedtimes and limited screen time before bed can help protect both physical and mental health. According to the National Institute on Aging, maintaining quality sleep (7 to 9 hours a night) becomes even more critical as we age.

Diet

The world’s longest-living people (the current oldest living person is 115 years old, in case you were wondering) tend to eat in ways that are simple. Diets rich in whole, plant-based foods like vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds — like the Mediterranean Diet — are consistently linked to longer lifespans and a lower risk of chronic disease. One study found that individuals who followed plant-based dietary patterns had lower mortality rates than those who consumed more processed or animal-based foods.

But that doesn’t mean you have to skip dessert forever. I certainly won’t.

Nutritionist Sophie Anson, who joined me for a conversation on my podcast, shared how eating for longevity isn’t about restrictions and strict rules, but rather consistency and balance. A cookie shared over coffee with a friend can be just as nourishing to the soul as a salad is to the body.

The role of connection

When we talk about health and longevity, one of the most important factors often gets left out — our relationships.

Strong social ties not only make life richer but also help us live longer. A landmark study from Brigham Young University found that having meaningful relationships can increase longevity just as much as quitting smoking. Feeling seen, heard, and valued (especially as we age) might be one of the most powerful forms of medicine.

How do we hold onto those connections as we grow older? One way is through work — not just in the traditional sense, but by continuing to contribute. Whether it’s through a job, a volunteer role, mentoring, or simply being there for someone else, showing up still matters.

My friend Cynthia Covey Haller calls it “living life in crescendo.” Like a symphony that builds toward its final note, it’s the idea that life should keep gaining meaning and passion right to the end.

Dr. Monique Andrews, a teacher and scholar in embodied neuroscience, put it this way in a recent podcast:

“People who are in their 90s and thriving all have one thing in common. They’re still working. That means they still have purpose. They’re curious. They’re connected.”

And if you’re looking for proof, just take a look at my friend Alan Patricof. At 90, he’s still working full-time as a venture capitalist and living with more energy and adventure than people half his age. At 88, he ran the New York City Marathon. He’s parachuted. He’s been to Burning Man. He even got married again.

Alan’s secret? Living with intention. That includes long walks every morning, mindful eating, and — maybe most importantly — a vibrant social life. When I asked what keeps him going, he said something I’ll never forget:

“I heard once that humans could live to 115, maybe 120. So, I thought, why not me?”

And honestly … why not us?

All the best,

Jim