Michigan resident Betty Morris marked her 101st birthday on May 13
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NEED TO KNOW
- A 101-year-old woman shared her top tips for a long life in a new interview with Today on Wednesday, May 27
- Michigan resident Betty Morris turned 101 on May 13
- Morris still drives and swims every day at the Jackson YMCA
A 101-year-old woman is sharing what she thinks is the key to a long life.
Speaking in a new interview with Today, published Wednesday, May 27, Michigan resident Betty Morris, who turned 101 on May 13 and still drives and swims daily, revealed her top four tips for longevity.
Morris said her first tip is to keep moving, telling the outlet, “I can't get along without the Y,” referencing the Jackson YMCA, where she goes for her daily swims. “Every time anybody asks me why I've lived so long, I say, ‘Exercise at the Y.' ”
Morris has been swimming for around 40 years and made it a regular part of her routine when she joined a friend who wanted to incorporate it into her exercise regime.
“The water doesn't discriminate,” Morris told Today. “In the pool, you can do anything you want to."
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Alongside her daily swim habit, Morris also attends Zumba classes every Saturday at the YMCA and goes walking with her daughter, Sue Condino.
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Being sociable is another of Morris' top tips, and as well as interacting with those she meets at the YMCA, the 101-year-old also attends church.
“She enjoys being around other people,” Condino told Today. "At church or any gathering, she's very social and kind of lights up a room.”
“She goes up to everyone in the pool to ask their name if she doesn’t know them, and then she really remembers,” Condino added of when her mom is at the YMCA.
Morris celebrated her 101st birthday with a bash at the facility, with the party planned by her daughter and attended by Morris' friends.
Morris also credits her long life to maintaining a positive attitude and says she is "always happy."
“The golden rule (is to) live with a grateful heart every day,” Morris told Today. “It's good to stay positive!”
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Her final tip is that people should treat themselves.
While fruits and vegetables are on her grocery list, Morris doesn't feel bad if she eats toast with lots of butter and strawberry jam, made by her niece.
“I love peanut butter fudge!” she told the outlet, adding that she enjoys baking homemade bread every week.
PEOPLE reached out to Jackson YMCA for comment about Morris.
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