A centenarian is enjoying mounting fame on social media and claims several factors have helped her reach the milestone of 100 years of age.
Jayne Burns, who will turn 101 on July 26, drives herself 20 minutes from her house to her job as a part-time fabric cutter four times a week.
According to the centenarian, the secret behind her exceptional longevity lies partly in her consistent work routine and healthy social networks.
Having tried to retire several times throughout her 70s and 80s, the centenarian said she keeps returning to her job because she misses the routine.
Her career at Joann Fabric and Crafts store now spans an impressive 26 years and Burns claims the shop is where she enjoys spending most of her time.
“I enjoy what I do, so I want to keep doing it,” the centenarian told CNBC. “I’ll work for as long as I can or as long as they’ll have me.”
Though she denies that there is any one single secret to living a long life, Burns claims that “working has helped” her achieve longevity.
She also credits her longevity to forging genuine and healthy relationships with co-workers and other people in her surroundings, she explained.
“I enjoy talking to everybody I work with, and meeting the customers who are very nice,” said Burns. “Even if some of them are surprised to see me at the cutting table”.
There is evidence to back this theory, as an 85-year study from Harvard researchers found that positive relationships at work lead to lower stress levels.
Because chronic stress is a precursor for chronic and inflammatory diseases, it has consistently correlated with shorter lifespans in studies.
“It’s important to find people who are friendly and kind,” adds Burns, who gained a lot of traction on social media in 2021 when a co-worker in her 20s started posting videos of them at the store.
One of the clips, posted by fellow employee Maggie Husvar, garnered more than nine million views and upwards of two million likes, with many praising the centenarian for her refreshing outlook on life.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
