Self-control is the key to longevity

Los Angeles, Jan 08: It may seem boring, but organisation and self-control are crucial to longevity, says a new study. Led by University of California researchers, the study has found that ambitious, organised and conscientious people are likely to live longer than those who are impulsive. Howard Friedman, professor of psychology at the university, insists that psychological traits can help predict health risks. "Not only do conscientious individuals have better health habits and less risk-taking, but they also [have] more stable jobs and marriages and may even have a biological predisposition toward good health," the Telegraph quoted Friedman as saying. The researches observed that highly conscientious people could live up to four years longer, as they were less likely to smoke or drink to excess. They also found that highly conscientious people led a more stable and less stressful life. The study involved more than 8,900 participants from the US, Canada, Japan, Germany, Norway and Sweden. The researchers looked at three facades of conscientiousness – self-control, organisation and industriousness. Other healthy traits included thoroughness, reliability, deliberation, competence and dutifulness. "There is some evidence that people can become more conscientious, especially as they enter stable jobs or good marriages," said co-researcher Margaret Kern. "We think our findings can challenge people to think about their lives and what may result from the actions they do. "Even though conscientiousness cannot be changed in the short term, improvements can emerge over the long run as individuals enter responsible relationships, careers and associations," she added. ANI