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the key to a longer life, said one of the most extensive studies of its type ever undertaken.
Psychologists found that the most cheerful individuals, with the best sense of humour, die earlier on average than their counterparts with the set jaw and furrowed brow.
And there’s more bad news.
Adults who work harder and retire later are also more likely to make it into old age, particularly if they are “committed” to their jobs.
The groundbreaking research, which overturns several long-held theories about rea-ching old age, is entitled the Longevity Project.
It began in 1921 with 1 500 ten-year-olds, all of whom would be centenarians today if they had survived.
They were questioned over the next decades about everything from work patterns, habits, friends and family to pet ownership. Their health records, details of military service and their day-to-day lives were all monitored.
And over the last 20 years they have been analysed by US professors.
“Participants who were the most cheerful and had the best sense of humour as kids lived shorter lives, on average, than those who were less cheerful and joking,” said Dr Leslie Martin, of La Sierra University in Riverside, California.
“It was the most prudent and persistent individuals who stayed healthiest and lived the longest.”
The researchers discovered that the happy souls went on to take more gambles with their health over the years.
They were more likely to drink, smoke and eat badly.
Lead author Dr Howard Friedman said optimism could be helpful in a crisis. But he added: “We found that as a general life-orientation, too much of a sense that ‘everything will be just fine’ can be dangerous because it can lead one to be careless about things that are important to health and long life.”
The study also found that owning a pet could improve general “well being” but made no difference to living longer. – Daily Mail.