How to live over 100 years? Centenarian shares her longevity formula: Favourite breakfast, a good family and one more thing

Living more than 100 years is a milestone that a lot of people want to reach but only very few are able to, but 107-year-old Dorothy Creighton has her own explanation for making it this far. Creighton, who is a great-grandmother from England believes a happy family, a lively personality and the breakfast she has enjoyed for decades are all part of the secret to a long life.

According to the New York Post, Creighton recently celebrated her 107th birthday at Pear Tree Court, a care home in Horndean, Hampshire. Friends, family and staff joined her for a surprise celebration, which had balloons, banners and a cake prepared by the home's head chef.

She also shared the everyday habits and relationships she believes have helped make her life a happy one.

Her favourite breakfast is non-negotiable

For Creighton, starting the day with bacon and eggs is a tradition she cannot imagine giving up. She also has a sweet tooth and particularly enjoys jelly babies.

Explaining her approach to life, she said, “The secret to a long and happy life is to have a good man, a good family and to keep everyone around me on their toes.

“Also, I can’t live without my bacon and eggs every morning, or my jelly babies!”

While Creighton breakfast is her personal favourite, there is no evidence scientific evidence that bacon and eggs are responsible for her longevity.

A life that began before World War II

Creighton's story goes back to her childhood in Bristol, where she enjoyed playing football with boys and described herself as a tomboy. She later trained for hairdressing, which also became her first job.

The outbreak of the Second World War changed the course of her working life. She joined the Women's Land Army, where she met the man who would become her husband.

Creighton and her husband have raised three children together, two daughters and a son. Their family eventually grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren, giving Creighton a large circle of relatives with whom to celebrate her latest birthday.

Does happiness have a role in living longer?

A 2023 study that was published in Aging had found out that older adults who felt more happy were less likely to die than those who did not. The study was done on 6,073 people living in Singapore, aged 55 and above, for an average of 11.7 years.

Researchers also looked at other aspects of these participants’ lives, such as their physical health, lifestyle, social support and psychological well-being. Most of the link between happiness and a lower risk of death was explained by these factors.

The study does not mean that being happy will automatically help someone live longer.