The trick to living a long, hearty life has been revealed. For everybody 'dying' to not die anytime soon, the code has been cracked and as it turns out, it's something most people ace at without even trying. All one needs is strong dosages of determination. A bit too much of it, perhaps.
That's right – the key to living up to a hundred years is just being stubborn!
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Studies suggest that other than a healthy diet and regular exercise, keeping busy and a headstrong notion about what one believes in are also contributing factors to a ripe age.
The study conducted was based on 29 people aged between 91 and 101, whose physical health was worse than their family members aged 51 to 75, but at the same time, it was found that the oldest inhabitants of nine villages in Cilento, south Italy, were in better shape than their younger relatives.
In simpler terms, the more aged, the better their well-being conditions. Even high self-confidence and decision-making skills were found among the very old group, as the study by the University of Rose and University of California, San Diego revealed.
Lead author Anna Scelzo believes that the "group's love of their land is a common theme and gives them a purpose in life. Most of them are still working in their homes and on the land. They think, 'This is my life and I'm not going to give it up'."
Domineering, stubborn and needing a sense of control, this group proved that such traits promote their well being as they are less concerned about what other people think. "This tendency to control the environment suggests notable grit that is balanced by a need to adapt to changing circumstances."
While being street smart and worldly-wise are no secrets when it comes to sustaining on the planet, this study just puts a nail in the coffin. It's not necessarily genes, it's just a strong belief in one's own opinion that helps them live longer.
Dr Dilip Jeste, professor of psychiatry at UCSD, said: "There have been a number of studies on very old adults, but they have mostly focused on genetics rather than their mental health or personalities.
"The main themes that emerged from our study, and appear to be the unique features associated with the better mental health of this rural population, were positivity, work ethic, stubbornness and a strong bond with family, religion and land."
Dr Jeste added: "This paradox of ageing supports the notion that well-being and wisdom increase with ageing even though physical health is failing."
