Five simple attitudes that can extend your life
Vitamins, creams, and relentless pursuit of fitness: This may all be valid for quality of life, but new research has shown that what makes us have a better and longer trajectory depends on other factors.
An eight-decade study by the late Stanford University psychologist Louis Terman in 1921 revealed some startling characteristics of living a long life. To this end, the researcher recruited 1, 528 10-year-old girls and boys and over the years collected data on family and relationship histories, personality, hobbies, pets, job success, education levels, and more throughout their lives.
Of these participants, 12 are still alive. In 1990, psychology professors Howard Friedman and Leslie Martin took over the project and published a book in 2011 called “The Longevity Project”. What they found, with this and other research, changed the way they lived. Check out some studied evidence and tips for you to have a longer life:
Be aware
According to the researchers, an essential personality mark to develop well is to be conscious, and this characteristic also involves being prudent, responsible and persistent. For example, saving money for studies or other important situations in life, being considerate in traffic, taking care of the environment, taking responsibility for one's own health, among other issues.
That is, the link between consciousness and a long life is more effective if you always live with this characteristic. However, according to research, people who only developed this personality as adults also lived longer than those who did not.
Connect socially
And we are not talking about social network connections. "People who interacted most often with friends and family had a real measurable benefit, " said researcher Leslie Martin. In addition to the affective bonds of love and friendship, or even work, the researchers found that when they involve solidarity interactions, the increase in life expectancy was even greater.
This means that the dedication to some volunteer activity is of great value. Experts also recommend that people do not retire anytime soon, as work activities and relationships also score points in a longer life, as long as these interactions are welcomed.
Worry a little
"We think you may be very upbeat and cheerful, but the (surveyed) children who were the happiest lived shorter lives, " said researcher Leslie Martin. She says joy can affect how you assess the risk of situations.
Optimistic people may think that nothing bad will happen to them, so they tend - for example - to be heavy smokers and alcoholics, and to develop riskier pastimes. According to the researchers, a moderate amount of anxiety and worry seems to be ideal for a long life.
get marry
That's right! This recommendation of the researchers is especially valid for men! According to the studies, less than a third of divorced men lived to be 70, according to the Longevity Project. However, the results were not as threatening to women as divorced women who did not remarry lived almost as long as those who remained married.
Eat less but don't be radical
According to experts, calorie restriction can extend life expectancy, especially if you are ... a rat! Yes, very restricted diets have been associated with longevity, but this idea came from research done on rats, mice and worms. A more recent study of monkeys (closest to humans) found no link between diet and longevity.
According to the researchers, what matters is that you find a healthy pattern, a balance that is good for you. Of course there must be common sense, but starving unnecessarily will only hurt you.
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