It’s the million-dollar question (of course not when you’re depressed): what do we need to do to live longer? Two professors decided to bring together their 20 years of work on a landmark eight decade study. Howard S. Friedman is Distinguished Professor at the University of California in Riverside. Leslie R. Martin is Professor of Psychology at La Sierra University, and Research Psychologist at UC Riverside. Together they wrote The Longevity Project: Surprising Discoveries for Health and Long Life from the Landmark Eight-Decade Study. Their scientific research on health and longevity has been published in over 150 influential and often-cited scientific articles in leading books and scientific journals.
1. I know that it’s hard to pinpoint one predictor of longevity. But I’m going to ask that anyway. Given all the research you present in this book, can you name the top three factors that contribute most?
Dr. Friedman: We looked very carefully at who thrived and survived from childhood through old age. So naturally, people ask, “What is the single most important tip to live longer and happier?” Is it telling jokes and laughing a lot? Maybe it is that hour in the gym every morning at 6 am? Or, is it vowing to lose that extra 10 pounds? Could the essential trick be keeping a positive outlook and whistling while you work? No.
The single most important bit of advice we can offer tip-seekers and list-makers is: Throw Away Your Lists!
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The healthiest individuals in The Longevity Project didn’t have lists of health advice. Rather, they lived meaningful, committed lives. They worked hard. They achieved much for their families. They nurtured close relationships. They were persistent, responsible, and successful. They were dedicated to things and people beyond themselves.
So what do we do when we have brain disorders/injuries? I worked from the age of 10-53. 3 TBIs, with manic-depression. So the neurologist told me I had to quit working. If people who work hard, are persistent, high achieving, etc.-most people who suffer from brain injuries & disorders can’t do these things. So I guess we’re destined to die young?
No I think that even if a person is damaged physically by an accident or inherits genes which weaken their body or give them illness they can use these principles to extend and enrich their lives – I’m sure you have noticed that even a severely disabled person can be accepted and loved if they give what they are able to give – acceptance interest and love in return