Summarised by Centrist
A new study suggests that building psychological resilience could reduce your risk of early death by up to 53%. So, while diet and exercise are important, your mindset could be the game changer for longevity.
Research led by Dr Yiqiang Zhan at Sun Yat-sen University in China and and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden analysed data from over 10,000 Americans over 50.
They found that those with resilience scores in the top 25% had 53% lower mortality rates over a nearly 12-year follow-up than those with scores in the lowest 25%.
Even accounting for factors like age, sex, and health conditions, the impact of resilience remained strong, suggesting it plays an independent role in longevity.
Resilience was measured through 12 questions gauging such aspects as a person’s ability to stay calm under pressure, maintain a sense of purpose and be self-reliant in the face of adversity.
Researchers suspect that one reason for this correlation may be that resilient people are better able to handle stress, which can have a negative effect on health over time. They also may be more likely to maintain healthy habits.
Techniques like cognitive-behavioural therapy and mindfulness practices can help develop life-extending mental toughness.
