Healthy Living
Thursday, December 10, 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 MADDS Wed Jan 7, 2009 1:40pm PST
"Conscientious does not mean boring or humorless."
The point of the study outcome was that those who pay attention to where they are going and what they are doing in life will be the least likely to fall off a cliff, walk out in front of a bus, or do other ill-advised things to shorten their lives. Being a planner isn't a buzz kill by any means but dying due to lack of forethought and rash decisions sure is! A little "thought" applied to certain daily activities can buy time for the "less conscientious" so all hope isn't lost.
It isn't about being boring or too serious, it is about caring enough about yourself, your life and those around you to do more than just a half-assed job of living.
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Posted by EDWARDM Wed Jan 7, 2009 1:45pm PST
carobear,
I can relate about bi-polar,my sister has it & it just tears me up which sister I get in touch with.
She goes from normal,most happiness, to the most depressive.I never know.I still love her, &
always will.
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Posted by Gem Wed Jan 7, 2009 1:46pm PST
Since when is conscientiousness a synonym for boring? You can be funny and fun and outgoing and still be conscientious.
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Posted by SalazarF Wed Jan 7, 2009 1:48pm PST
The four extra years you get for being boring are just the crappy years at the end. lol
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Posted by __A_YAHOO_USER__ Wed Jan 7, 2009 1:52pm PST
Would you like to live a long boring life or one that is 4 years shorter and a LOT of fun? Those last 4 are the worst anyway!
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Posted by Diego Wed Jan 7, 2009 1:56pm PST
Quantity vs. Quality. I guess the real question is do you really want to live to the ripe old age of 100.
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Posted by JR Wed Jan 7, 2009 1:57pm PST
You mean impulsively getting high on drugs and having promiscuous gay sex 24/7 will kill you at an earlier age? Hard to believe!
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Posted by JR Wed Jan 7, 2009 2:04pm PST
To the big talking doucherinos who missed the context of the article..it did not imply you could not have fun...it did imply that those who have fun without regard to consequence are freakin idiots. They don't only die four years younger..they die many, many years before their time...like my brother who died at the age of 48, because he could not stop his drug abuse. So go on and laugh about those extra years...we will see how much you laugh when the grim reaper comes calling at your door.
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Posted by Wed Jan 7, 2009 2:04pm PST
I guess I will neaver see 100 years old.I will enjoy getting to 99 Years old.I am pretty ambitious but not to disciplined. Oh well
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