Healthy Living
Friday, December 4, 2009
Your happiness: These two personality traits may lead to a longer and happier life
partner
Quick: Describe the personality of the happiest person you know.
What adjectives did you come up with? Bubbly? Spontaneous? Funny?
New research reveals that two of the most boring-sounding traits
can actually help you live a healthier, happier and longer life...
Surprise! It turns out that people who are ambitious and
disciplined live up to four years longer than more impulsive folks.
A study from the University of California at Riverside found
that conscientious types--the kind of people who have their nose to
the grindstone and always pay their bills right on time (or
early!)--are more likely to have stable relationships and are less
tempted by health-dampening drugs, alcohol and other risky
behaviors. People who were less conscientious were 50 percent more
likely to die at any given age, on average, than those who were
highly conscientious. The results shocked researchers because it
suggests that personality traits might have a stronger effect on
longevity than socioeconomic factors and intelligence.
10 small changes you can make for a longer and healthier
life!
Order and achievement were the top two traits associated with
having a long life, but that doesn't mean that you have to be a
snooze to reach the ripe old age of 100. "Conscientious does
not mean boring or humorless," said lead study author Howard
Friedman. Want to boost your conscientiousness? Surround yourself
with friends who are good influences and consider investing in a
day planner or an online calendar to stay organized.
Earlier:
How much television you watch could impact your happiness--a
lot.
How ambitious and disciplined are you? Do you think personality
traits have an influence on how healthy you are?
by Maridel
Reyes
MORE FROM VITAMIN G:
Related: wellness, personality, organized, healthy living, discipline
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Posted by chica bonita Mon Jan 5, 2009 10:02am PST
I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE THE OPPOSITE SINCE LAUGHTER IS A GREAT THING RATHER THAN BEING SERIOUS.AS LONG AS U KEEP YOUR BRAIN ACTIVE I DONT SEE
Y BEING BORING IS BETTER FOR HEALTH.I THINK THE MORE ACTIVE YOU ARE AS FAR AS BEING SOCIAL AND MENTALY YOU STIMULATE YOUR BRAIN MORE ALONG WITH YOUR HEART AND SPIRIT.
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Posted by DD Sweetie Mon Jan 5, 2009 4:59pm PST
I agree...ambition and discipline leads to happiness. You need to pursue goals and have self control in order to get the most out of life. As long as there's something ahead of you, you're always stimulated.
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Posted by Lucky Tue Jan 6, 2009 8:31am PST
The thing to remember regarding All these studies is to consider who was in the study. Was it 100 healthy men? Was it people from Denmark or Japan? The group and the years the study was conducted are as important as the result.
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Posted by Ralph S Tue Jan 6, 2009 10:16am PST
How many bubblie energetic,carasmatic,ambitious,happy centurians, have you met??
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Posted by Science mama Tue Jan 6, 2009 10:46am PST
I would imagine that ambitious, disciplined people are more financially successful, have better health insurance, which would lead to longer lives.
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Posted by __A_YAHOO_USER__ Tue Jan 6, 2009 2:15pm PST
At first, I didn't like this article- because I am a very spontaneous sort of person! But when I think about it, it makes a lot of sense. First of all, spontaneous people may be more accident prone because not every decision is a well thought out decision. That may decrease one's longevity in a big way. Secondly, spontaneous people, not being the "planner type" may suffer from unconscious stresses that can be very damaging in the long run. I know that I have paid a price for being the happy go lucky, spontaneous person that I am. Relationships have suffered, and financially I suffered from my lack of planning.
I have tried to become an organized, "think ahead" sort of person, and it just does not work for me. Others have tried to change me, too, with obvious lack of success. I can't change my core being. Not going to happen. But I can choose to surround myself with people who can help and support me in trying to at least TRY and stay focused on a goal. I let them do what they do best- organize the whole world, if they want. And they let me do what I do best.
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Posted by carobear79 Tue Jan 6, 2009 5:48pm PST
i try to be happy but its not always peaches and cream, not everyone can be gitty all the time unless you're on something or a rush on life that could be possible, but for me being bipolar runs its course, its a high and low mood situation but i am under control.
"what the hell"-jeff dunham
carolyn
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Posted by alex guitarman Wed Jan 7, 2009 1:34pm PST
It's amazing! What would the system and the media invent to coerce people into non-creativeness and dullness! This is becoming a Fascist and reactionary society. And who are these people that did this study, a fringe of congress that is tryin ti fix the economy that they ruined by making people work harder then they already are. After they ruined the very same economy by allowing rich b------ s to play with poor peoles money and ruining them. This used to be a country at the avant-garde of arts, technology and creativity. It's becoming behind in everything. Most people probably don't know that 70% of american Jazz musicians live most of the year in Europe to be creative and appreciated. I encourage people not to listen to this crap, live your life, live to the fullest, take Left turns, be creative. Because you are being controlled so much, and you're so far in it that you don't even realize it!
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Posted by maddie Wed Jan 7, 2009 1:37pm PST
Ambitious and disciplined people are probably also less likely to smoke and consume too much alcohol.
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