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A 100-year-old woman shares her secrets to longevity: five tips for a long and healthy life.

JoKlett Wilson began her job search after realizing that she wasn't enjoying retirement. She became the oldest employee at Home Depot in the United States, and she also works as a cashier.
A 100-year-old woman shares her secrets to longevity: five tips for a long and healthy life.

At 100 years old, American JoCleta Wilson is still working and commuting to her job—this is simply a new career path for the former dancer and business owner. JoCleta shared insights about her life and secrets to longevity with TODAY.

She is the oldest employee at Home Depot in the U.S. and works as a cashier at a store in Louisville, Kentucky. Wilson, who works two mornings a week from 6 to 10, sought this job to be around other people and engage with customers.

"I retired three times—ten years each time—and that’s not what it’s cracked up to be. I got so tired of myself," Wilson revealed. "I had to get out of the house and back to work to see what was happening in the community. I have a lot of fun."

Most customers probably don't even realize that the lively, energetic woman at the register is 100 years old. She celebrated her centennial birthday last October with a grand party at her home featuring two pianists and 80 guests.

Wilson lives alone in her house, drives herself to work and for errands, and also cooks her meals. She hires people to clean her home and work in her yard. "I could do it, but I don’t want to. At my age, I’ve also gotten a bit smarter," she explained with a laugh.

Wilson still dances and says she feels decades younger than her age. "I feel like a 39-year-old who’s about to turn 40. That’s quite a step," JoCleta says about her 100th birthday.

She has survived breast cancer, has emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and also has a pacemaker, "but everything else works," she notes, emphasizing that she feels and moves wonderfully.

JoCleta Wilson's Tips for Longevity

JoCleta shared five key tips for a long life:

  • keep moving;

Wilson, a former professional dancer, has always considered movement an integral part of her daily life. She started dancing as a child and worked in high school, eventually joining June Taylor's dancers and performing rhythm tap.

Later, she owned a dance academy in Louisville for 37 years, where she taught others to dance. Good posture is a priority for her, so once a week, she stands with her back against the wall to check how she's feeling and to correct any slouching.

Wilson calls movement "very important" for longevity, and she continues to dance at 100 years old.

  • be willing to change your diet to stay healthy;

Two different health issues prompted Wilson to alter her diet. When she was diagnosed with cancer, an oncology nurse told her that "cancer feeds on sugar" and recommended avoiding it. "I said, 'I can handle that,'" Wilson recalls.

JoCleta stopped eating bacon and cheese a few years ago when she was found to have very high cholesterol levels. After working with a nutritionist, she focused on consuming lean proteins like chicken, fish, and steak, while avoiding white flour.

"I eat well. I don’t go out to restaurants often. I cook for myself and enjoy it," she says.

  • have something to look forward to;

Wilson doesn’t shy away from sweets. "I always have chocolate cake in the freezer," she says. "I take a slice, but maybe once a week."

She also keeps ice cream in the freezer and occasionally has a spoonful.

When she receives candy gifts, they last for months because she cuts pieces in half and eats half a piece a week.

The key is to treat yourself every now and then, but not to overdo it, which requires a lot of discipline, Wilson advises.

  • stay creative;

Besides dancing, Wilson loves to sing and has performed on stage in recent years. She wrote a cookbook, paints, and has an Instagram page dedicated to her artwork.

  • don’t sweat the small stuff.

The centenarian believes that "stubbornness and determination," along with common sense, have helped her navigate tough times and live a long life.

She also tries to let go of negative feelings and stay optimistic—a trait associated with longevity.

"I always say: don’t worry about the little things. Don’t stress. Don’t let everything get to you. Anger takes a lot of energy and a lot of good from your life," she says. "It’s much easier to think positively than negatively. It takes a lot less effort. And that’s what I try to do."

As a reminder, the 124-year-old Chinese woman revealed the secret to her longevity.