Managing stress can help people live longer. How long you live is determined by everything from genetics to lifestyle choices. But one factor determining life expectancy has become glaringly obvious too: the toxic stress load.
The experience of stress increased the life expectancy if the person felt the amount of stress they had was approximately the same as what other people typically experienced. Having more or less stress than that, on the other hand, reduced their life expectancy.
Preventing and managing long-term stress can lower your risk for other conditions — like heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, and depression.
It seems counterintuitive, calm your brain activity, and you live longer. That's seemingly the results of a new American research study led by researchers at the Harvard Medical School in Boston. Others say this research should not replace the “use it or lose it” doctrine.
In any case, improving mental health is a proven method to live longer. It has been demonstrated that people who practice positive thinking live an average of 8 to 13 years longer.
"When you're stress-free, you often think much more clearly, find yourself better equipped to make the right decisions, and have a much more positive outlook on what's going on around you – both at work and at home."
Some stress is good for you. While too little stress can lead to boredom and depression, too much can cause anxiety and poor health. The right amount of acute stress, however, tunes up the brain and improves performance and health. iStock images.
Some of the physical signs that your stress levels are too high include: Pain or tension in your head, chest, stomach, or muscles. Your muscles tend to tense up when you're stressed, and over time this can cause headaches, migraines, or musculoskeletal problems.
Gallup Results and Corroborating Research
Respondents age 50 and above were the least stressed (44%), the least worried (38%) and the least angry (16%).
While Millennials (ages 18 to 33) and Gen Xers (ages 34 to 47) report the highest average stress levels, Boomers (48 to 66) and Matures (67 years and older) join them in reporting levels that are higher than they consider healthy. Stress has also increased for a considerable number of Americans, regardless of age.
A shocking 91% of the respondents of our survey were stressed at one point or the other in their life. Out of which, we found that the most stressed were the respondents in their late twenties and thirties. There was an increase in the stress levels until the age of 40, after which it starts reducing.
Below is the list of things that changes after 25. You become bold enough to try to make your professional dreams come true. You take chances with your career path. You look for opportunities that will keep your bills paid and at the same time putting your interests and goals in line.
Plenty of research suggests optimistic people have a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and declines in lung capacity and function. Optimism is also associated with a lower risk of early death from cancer and infection.
Borderline personality disorder is one of the most painful mental illnesses since individuals struggling with this disorder are constantly trying to cope with volatile and overwhelming emotions.
Studies show that how you perceive aging and your life as a whole affects longevity. A 2019 study found that positive thinking can result in an 11–15% longer lifespan and a stronger likelihood of living to age 85 or older.
Japanese life expectancy
The healthy life expectancy of the Japanese, 74.8 years, is also higher than in Canada (73.2 years). The higher life expectancy of Japanese people is mainly due to fewer deaths from ischemic heart disease and cancers, particularly breast and prostate cancer.
Humans' life expectancy (average) is 70-85 years. However, the oldest verified person (Jeanne Clement, 1875-1997) lived up to 122 years. As a person ages, the telomeres (chromosome ends) tend to become shorter in every consecutive cycle of replication. Also, bones start getting weaker by reducing in size and density.
Foods for longevity
“Eating more legumes, whole grains, and nuts and eating less red meat and processed meats were estimated to be the most effective ways to increase life expectancy for individuals with a typical diet,” said Prof. Fadnes.