Scientists all over the world today are busy researching what can kill us, whether it be car accidents or cancer-causing chemicals in corn. However, today I wanted to talk about some old research from a study that started all the way back in 1921 that reported some interesting findings on the things that actually help us to live longer, and better.
The study, conducted at Stanford University by psychologist Lewis Terman, selected about 1,500 of the brightest boys and girls around and tracked them throughout their lives. He collected all sorts of information about the children and their families — from how many books were in their houses, to their dispositions. And then, for the next 90 years, Terman and his successors checked back in on the kids as they grew up, attempting to find out why some people live long happy lives, while others are unfulfilled and die young.
So, what did Terman and his study find?
The best predictor of longevity is consciousness.
What Is Conscientiousness?
It concerns the way we manage our impulses, and so it’s a reflection of our self-discipline and ability to think before we act. Managing your impulses is a sign of good brain health, and will serve you in the long haul of life. Our impulses are not inherently good or bad; it’s whether or not we act on them, and under what circumstances, that makes the difference. But when succumbing to impulses becomes your way of life, it can take a serious, negative toll on your health.
Fort, with a little work on ourselves, we can all become more conscientious; we might even live longer and happier lives as a result. Your free will and conscientiousness are only as good as your brain function. And you don’t really have free will if your brain isn’t functioning properly.
Things that damage conscientiousness are; alcohol, drug abuse, brain injuries, toxicity, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, PSTD and any type of chronic illness. You may not start seeing results overnight, but if you can work on developing these traits, you’ll be on your way to a more conscientious life:
- Motivation – To develop your motivation, you must be proactive about the health of your brain. Be honest with yourself and discover where your brain needs work. Your effort will be well worth it.
- True confidence- Realize that you are truly effective and powerful. You know you can get things done, you just have to notice that the only person standing in your way, is you.
- Organized, but not compulsive– Some of you may already be neat freaks, but for us messy people, try to keep an orderly home or office, keep lists and make plans. You’ll feel better, with less anxiety.
- A high sense of duty– Develop a strong sense of moral obligation. You’ll never do your what if you don’t know your
- Achievement-oriented– What motivates you? You already have a strong sense of direction and the drive to be successful at whatever you do, learn to channel that power.
- Persistence– Start to grow the ability to stay on track despite the obstacles that come your way.
- Thoughtfulness– Learn, think through possibilities, and the consequences of your behavior, before acting. Your future self-thanks you.
If you’re looking for a little extra help making those lasting improvements, more motivating strategies, or you just want to read more, pick up a copy of The Brain Warrior’s Way Cookbook – where I have over 100+ brain healthy recipes.
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