The human body is much like a snowflake, in the sense that no two are quite the same. If each human body was exactly the same, then we would each kick the bucket at exactly 78.5 years of age, right? Wrong. Because not only do genetics govern how long we will live, scientists are now beginning to unlock the hugely powerful influence that our individual personalities have on adding years upon years to our life spans. The following is a breakdown of the top six personality traits associated with longevity, ranked in order of importance:
1. Easy to laugh
2. Happy
3. Optimistic
4. Conscientious
5. Extroverted
6. Socially connected
For a brief explanation of the science behind these six powerful governors (including links to more in depth scientific studies for each) you can visit HuffingtonPost.com. If you have any doubt that these six traits can add years — sometimes decades — to your life, one need look no further for this proof than the following profile of 90-year-old yoga instructor Tao Porchon-Lynch. I cannot think of a more perfect example of someone who exemplifies the powerful health and longevity gains that come with this personality pack than Tao. As George Santayana once said: “The body is an instrument, the mind its function, the witness and reward of its operation.”
