Eight Traits That Will Enhance Your Chance of Living to 100
Genetic makeup determines approximately 25 percent of one’s longevity, while the environment and behavioral/thought choices provide the other 75 percent. Behavioral and thought choices are often determined by personality type and habits. Herein lies the opportunity for change. We CAN change our thoughts and behaviors, particularly when research shows certain ones to be conducive to long-term survival. Here are eight traits that will enhance your chance of living to be 100 years old:
1. Optimism is an integral variable if you want to avoid
prematurely dying. Depressed people frequently have depressed immune
functioning, with lower levels of killer T cells. This makes depressed
individuals more likely to develop cancers and other illnesses. Thus,
finding a way to be more optimistic and ward off depression is a pivotal
step for long-term survival. Contract with yourself to choose to be on the
bright side of a situation or event. Tell yourself uplifting messages about
your ability to deal with the particular situation – and remind yourself
that “this too shall pass.” Remember, we all have concerns that can easily
spiral out of control, if we allow them to. Worry will not change anything,
except perhaps make you miserable, give you a migraine, and possibly take
years off your life.
2. Build up your self-esteem. People with a better self-esteem tend to get sick less frequently, perform better at and be happier at work, and have happier marriages, as well as have a more satisfying social life. You must first like yourself before others will like you. Furthermore, if your life is then more satisfying in two most important domains of work and family, you will live longer as well.
3. Have a sense of personal power and be a problem solver, as this removes many problems from your life. In turn, reducing problems goes a long way toward reducing your overall stress levels, which in turn reduces your overall cortisol and adrenalin levels, hormones released when you are under stress. Stress is associated with numerous ailments, such as heart attacks, migraines, ulcers, diabetes and cancers to name a few.
4. Developing a personal hardiness factor in terms of an ability to recover from personal upsets and misfortunes is also very important to longevity. This entails an ability to be flexible in dealing with the obstacles life throws our way. Those things we cannot change, we simply learn to adjust and adapt to. Those who do not have this quality are prone to become depressed and/or anxious, as well as stressed.
5. Sociability is an important quality which contributes to longevity. Those who have a good support network are less likely to feel helpless and isolated and even produce more positive neurohormones. Even pets can serve to supplement our family or friendship networks. Research show those with strong social support do tend to be happier and live longer.
6. Spirituality is also an important part in assisting us in living longer lives. Research demonstrates those who believe in God or a higher power get sick less, as well as recover from illnesses faster. In several double-blind studies, those who were being prayed for had a faster recovery from illnesses as compared with those who were not prayed for.
7. Involvement in a meaningful array of projects and personal relationships can add years to our lives. Those who had nothing to do upon retirement tended to die much sooner than those whose lives were meaningfully peppered with relationships with loved ones and various fulfilling activities/hobbies.
8. Physical exercise and healthy eating habits are the words de jour and are constantly bandied about in magazine health articles and on TV as improving health, energy levels and longevity. Incontrovertible evidence exists to support these dual elements of longevity. Like the Nike® commercial says, “JUST DO IT!”