Mental toughness might be more important than your diet for living longer

By Study Finds

Can the power of positive thinking actually help you live longer? A new study suggests it’s not just about thinking happy thoughts, but about developing a resilient mindset that can weather life’s storms.

In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, the ability to bounce back from adversity might be more than just a valuable life skill – it could be the key to a longer life. Psychological resilience, often described as mental toughness or the ability to cope with and adapt to difficult life circumstances, has long been recognized as an important factor in mental health and well-being. But this new research, published in BMJ Mental Health, shows how its benefits may extend far beyond emotional stability.

How do scientists measure psychological resilience?

The study, led by researchers from Sun Yat-sen University in China and the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, examined data from over 10,000 Americans aged 50 and older who participated in the Health and Retirement Study between 2006 and 2008. The researchers followed these individuals for an average of 11.6 years, tracking their health outcomes and mortality rates up until May 2021.

What they found was striking: people with higher levels of psychological resilience had a significantly lower risk of dying during the study period compared to those with lower resilience scores. In fact, individuals in the highest quartile of resilience scores had a 53% lower risk of death from any cause compared to those in the lowest quartile. That’s a substantial difference that highlights the potential life-saving power of mental toughness.

But what exactly does psychological resilience look like in practice? The researchers measured it using a simplified resilience score based on 12 questions. These questions assessed various aspects of a person’s mental approach to life, including their ability to persevere through difficulties, stay calm under pressure, maintain a sense of purpose, rely on themselves, and face challenges alone when necessary.

For example, participants were asked how much they agreed with statements like “I can handle anything that comes my way” or “I like challenges and beating the odds.” Those who strongly agreed with such statements tended to have higher resilience scores.

How does mental toughness compare to other lifespan factors?

Interestingly, the study found that the relationship between resilience and mortality risk was almost linear – meaning that even small increases in resilience were associated with a lower risk of death. This suggests that developing greater mental toughness could benefit anyone, regardless of their starting point.

The protective effect of resilience remained strong even after the researchers accounted for various factors that might influence mortality risk, such as age, sex, race, body mass index, chronic health conditions, and health-related behaviors like smoking and physical activity. This indicates that resilience has an independent effect on longevity, above and beyond these other well-known risk factors.

So why might psychological resilience have such a powerful impact on our lifespan? While the study doesn’t provide a definitive answer, there are several possible explanations. Resilient individuals may be better equipped to handle stress, which can take a significant toll on physical health over time. They might also be more likely to maintain healthy behaviors and seek medical care when needed, even in the face of adversity.

Moreover, resilience is often associated with a more positive outlook on life, which has been linked to better health outcomes in numerous studies. People with high resilience may be more likely to find meaning and purpose in their lives, maintain strong social connections, and approach aging with a more optimistic attitude – all factors that have been shown to contribute to longevity.

“Our study also found that higher resilience scores were associated with lower cardiovascular mortality,” the authors write. “This suggests that individuals with a more positive self-perception and greater acceptance of change tend to have better functional health and promote longevity.”

Mental toughness can be developed at any age

The implications of this research are profound. It suggests that cultivating psychological resilience could be a valuable strategy for promoting healthy aging and extending lifespan. This is particularly relevant in our current era, where people are living longer but often facing multiple chronic health conditions in their later years.

The good news is that resilience is not a fixed trait – it can be developed and strengthened over time. Techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and stress management strategies have all been shown to boost resilience. Even simple daily practices like gratitude journaling or setting and achieving small goals can help build mental toughness over time.

As our population ages and healthcare systems face increasing pressure, finding ways to promote healthier, longer lives becomes ever more crucial. This study suggests that focusing on psychological resilience could be a powerful and cost-effective approach to improving public health and well-being.

This research paints a picture of longevity that goes beyond mere survival to encompass the quality of our mental and emotional lives. By fostering resilience, we may not only add years to our life but life to our years.

Paper Summary

Methodology

The researchers used data from the Health and Retirement Study, a long-term study of older adults in the United States. They focused on 10,569 participants aged 50 and older who completed a questionnaire about psychological resilience between 2006 and 2008. The researchers then tracked these individuals until May 2021, recording any deaths that occurred during this period. They used statistical methods called Cox proportional hazards models to analyze the relationship between resilience scores and the risk of death, adjusting for various factors that might influence mortality risk.

Results

Over the follow-up period, which averaged 11.6 years, 3,489 deaths occurred among the study participants. The researchers found that higher resilience scores were consistently associated with a lower risk of death. Even after accounting for factors like age, sex, race, body mass index, chronic health conditions, and health behaviors, the association remained strong. For every one standard deviation increase in resilience score, the risk of death decreased by about 17%.

Limitations

While the study provides compelling evidence for a link between resilience and longevity, it has some limitations. As an observational study, it can’t prove that resilience directly causes longer life – there could be other factors at play that weren’t measured. The study also relied on participants’ self-reported resilience at one point in time, which might not capture changes in resilience over the years. Additionally, the study population was primarily older adults in the United States, so the findings might not apply equally to younger people or those in other countries.

Discussion and Takeaways

This study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that psychological factors play a crucial role in physical health and longevity. It highlights the potential importance of mental health interventions in promoting healthy aging. The findings suggest that programs aimed at building resilience could have significant public health benefits, potentially reducing mortality rates among older adults. However, more research is needed to understand exactly how resilience influences longevity and to develop effective interventions for boosting resilience in diverse populations.

Funding and Disclosures

The study was supported by a start-up grant from Sun Yat-sen University and the Pearl River Scholar Program of Guangdong Province. The authors declared no competing interests related to the research.

Source: Study Finds

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