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While it seems impossible to control aging, there are personality traits that can help us live longer. A new report coming from Einstein's Longevity Genes Project, through the researchers who are trying to decipher “longevity gene”, has pointed out some personality traits as keys to long life.
What are these traits? People who consider laughter as part of their lives; those who are optimistic; those who express emotions honestly/openly; social and engage in activities; and the easygoing (relaxed) personalities tend to live longer. The researchers who based these findings on the records of some 500 genetically consistent Eastern European Jews, ages 95 and above, noticed that these centenarians are clearly showing positive attitude towards life.
Although, at first the researchers thought that these people were living a long life because of their mean and bad-tempered qualities, after some considerations that personalities can change between 70 to 100 years of age, researchers took a second look and found clear traits of a positive attitude. A careful review in their lives suggests that they were optimistic, outgoing, relaxed, having a large network of friends, and value laughter as part of life.
Laughter
If you can’t resist a beautiful smile, certainly you can’t resist a contagious giggle. Is laughter the best medicine? Take a look at the health benefits below. Laughter
- helps lower blood pressure;
- gives face, abdominal, legs, back, and respiratory a good exercise;
- helps prevent respiratory infections and colds;
- increases alertness and creativity;
- reduces cortisol levels; and
- improves memory and learning (as one study revealed that humor in class gives students better test results)
The optimistic attitude
It is no secret that an optimistic person is more fun to be around than a pessimistic one. Optimism makes a relaxed atmosphere. This type of attitude has
- better chance for success because it does not give up easily
- higher-levels of creativity
- easily enjoys present moment and looks at the future positively
- good stress management
- more willingness to explore things outside comfort zone
- better physical and emotional health
- better laughter and thankfulness
- good mood, positive expectations, and can easily forgive
- has better focus and boosts self-esteem
- improved social life and mental flexibility
An easygoing attribute
Easygoing is a cool personality trait. It means living without worry or concern. Although it would also mean negligent, it has some positive contribution to longer lifespan.
A person with large social network
Our experience with people sometimes decide on how social we are. Although, people can easily overlook being social and tend to avoid others, here are advantages of having a large social network and engage in activities:
- reduced risk of getting sick. A 2003 study claims that being social promotes good sleep and even heal wounds faster than a person who isolates himself.
- reduced stress. Laughter with friends and loved ones releases happy hormones and reduce stress.
- Eliminate loneliness. A social person makes loneliness slips away.
Another great contributor to long life is good genes. People who tend to live very long are surprisingly healthy – free from cancer, heart problems, and so on.
Although, we can't control aging, having these personality traits and strengthening them with healthy lifestyle and good exercise will certainly help us live a long and fulfilled life.
Like your post... so informative! Laughter is the best medicine and I always up to that. Thanks, Lemuel
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Thank you Shawn. I guess the "heal wounds faster" surprised everyone. Some experts believe that the feeling of loneliness could be an indication that a person is getting depressed. Depressed people isolates while the happy ones associate. Thanks for taking time to comment.
Good information Lemuel, being with people who have the same sense of humor definitely makes you feel better, interesting that laughter may improve memory and learning too!
Sweet, Lemuel. But I question whether aging is the only thing we can't control. As with the oldsters that got grumpy only in old age, ones friends, family, and surroundings will do more to shape personality traits than any self-help motivated conscious efforts. As I read the article, I kept repeating to myself, "Well, sure, be optimistic--likes that's so easy!" and "laugh more--sure I'd like to laugh more--quick, someone tell me a joke!" But all joking aside, I agree with you that we should lean in the direction of emotionally healthy habits--at the very least we should be on guard against any temptation to become more pessimistic and less good-humored. Still, I think ones personality traits become gelid at four or five years--the span that many psychologists feel is the basis for ones personality--and any changes thereafter--at least, positive ones--are very difficult to cultivate. thanks for the think-piece.
Hi Chris. I agree. We should lean in the direction of emotionally healthy habits. I think we had these personality traits when we were very young, but to some they were easily swept away by difficulties as they grow older. And I guess the only way to bring them back is to decide to think of them and pursue them.
Nice article. Yes, laughter, optimism and easygoing with a big social connection make sense to contribute to longer living. Otherwise the bumps in life would certainly be easy enough to -- well, make the difference between surviving them or not. I've got the longevity I guess since my dad remembers lots of 100-year birthday celebrations of relatives even way back when he was a kid (he'll be 81 this month:). My mom's side seems a bit shy of 100. Both longevity! Your article brings up happy memories. THanks!!
This is a wonderful article. Attitude means quite a lot. Have you ever met someone who says he doesn't want to live beyond a certain age? The reason is because he's afraid of being ill and feeble, assuming he will be ill and feeble, assuming he has to get arthritis. He's programmed for longevity failure. Sad. My aunt is 96 and rocking. She laughs all the time and is always ready for a party. She plans on being alive a lot longer and she looks as if she's in her late 60's. What you said is so true Lemuel.
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