Studies show that individuals who can effectively manage stress are more likely to maintain mental and physical health, enabling them to cope better with life’s pressures and potentially live longer.
NEW YORK, NY (Merxwire) – What are the secrets to longevity? Can focusing on diet and exercise alone lead to a longer life? According to an analysis by the U.S. In the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), there is a significant connection between strong mental resilience and lifespan. People with high psychological resilience, especially women, tend to live longer.
This research analyzed data from 10,569 American adults aged 50 and above between 2006 and 2008. The average participant age was 66, and 59% were women. Researchers monitored the participants’ health every two years and tracked their progress until May 2021. Over the 12-year study period, 3,489 participants passed away.
The study’s primary focus was to investigate the correlation between participants’ psychological resilience and their risk of death. The findings were significant, indicating that individuals with higher resilience scores had a lower risk of death from any cause. This underscores the crucial role of good mental health in promoting longevity. The study’s results were published in the BMJ Mental Health Journal, further validating its importance.
Upon analyzing the participants’ resilience scores, scientists found that those with higher scores faced significantly lower mortality risks than those with lower scores. Specifically, participants were divided into four quartiles based on their resilience scores, and their probability of survival over the next ten years was calculated. Results showed that participants in the highest quartile of resilience had a 53% lower risk of death within the next decade than those in the lowest quartile.
While resilience is crucial, the research also underscores the importance of a healthy lifestyle in promoting longevity. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and an active social life are all crucial for maintaining mental and physical well-being. These habits play a significant role in stress management, potentially reducing mortality risk and contributing to a longer life.
Furthermore, the research highlights the importance of social connections in promoting longevity. Connecting with family and close friends provides emotional support during stressful times, reducing psychological strain and strengthening mental resilience. This, in turn, equips individuals to face life’s challenges better, further contributing to their longevity.
It is worth noting that the link between high psychological resilience and lower mortality risk was more pronounced in women than men. This suggests that women may have more excellent adaptive abilities when facing stress and adversity, contributing to their longer lifespans. However, the observational study cannot directly infer a causal relationship between resilience and lower mortality rates.
Achieving a long life may be more within our reach than we think. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying optimistic, facing challenges head-on, and fostering mental resilience, we can significantly increase our chances of longevity.