Keys To Long Life: Top Personality Traits That Are Useful - Healthy Lifestyle Journal

While it seems impossible to control aging, there are personality traits that can help us live longer. A new report coming from Einstein's Longevity Genes Project, through the researchers who are trying to decipher �longevity gene�, has pointed out some personality traits as keys to long life.

What are these traits? People who consider laughter as part of their lives; those who are optimistic; those who express emotions honestly/openly; social and engage in activities; and the easygoing (relaxed) personalities tend to live longer. The researchers who based these findings on the records of some 500 genetically consistent Eastern European Jews, ages 95 and above, noticed that these centenarians are clearly showing positive attitude towards life.

Although, at first the researchers thought that these people were living a long life because of their mean and bad-tempered qualities, after some considerations that personalities can change between 70 to 100 years of age, researchers took a second look and found clear traits of a positive attitude. A careful review in their lives suggests that they were optimistic, outgoing, relaxed, having a large network of friends, and value laughter as part of life.

Laughter

If you can�t resist a beautiful smile, certainly you can�t resist a contagious giggle. Is laughter the best medicine? Take a look at the health benefits below. Laughter

• helps lower blood pressure;
• gives face, abdominal, legs, back, and respiratory a good exercise;
• helps prevent respiratory infections and colds;
• increases alertness and creativity;
• reduces cortisol levels; and
• improves memory and learning (as one study revealed that humor in class gives students better test results)

The optimistic attitude

It is no secret that an optimistic person is more fun to be around than a pessimistic one. Optimism makes a relaxed atmosphere. This type of attitude has

    1. better chance for success because it does not give up easily
    2. higher-levels of creativity
    3. easily enjoys present moment and looks at the future positively
    4. good stress management
    5.  more willingness to explore things outside comfort zone
    6. better physical and emotional health
    7. better laughter and thankfulness
    8. good mood, positive expectations, and can easily forgive
    9. has better focus and boosts self-esteem
   10.improved social life and mental flexibility

An easygoing attribute

Easygoing is a cool personality trait. It means living without worry or concern. Although it would also mean negligent, it has some positive contribution to longer lifespan.

A person with large social network

Our experience with people sometimes decide on how social we are. Although, people can easily overlook being social and tend to avoid others, here are advantages of having a large social network and engage in activities:

    Reduced risk of getting sick. A 2003 study claims that being social promotes good sleep and even heal wounds faster than a person who isolates himself.
    Reduced stress. Laughter with friends and loved ones releases happy hormones and reduce stress.
    Eliminate loneliness. A social person makes loneliness slips away.

Another great contributor to long life is good genes. People who tend to live very long are surprisingly healthy � free from cancer, heart problems, and so on.

Although, we can't control aging, having these personality traits and strengthening them with healthy lifestyle and good exercise will certainly help us live a long and fulfilled life.