The 7 Laws of Healthy Old Age
Based on nearly 80 years of studying adult development, researchers narrowed down seven tenets that lead to a long, healthy, fulfilling life.
1. Continue learning.
Compared to participants of the inner-city Glueck study, the Grant men lived on
average 10 years longer than their less-educated peers. However, the 6 percent of Glueck men
who graduated from college were just as healthy, even in old age, as the Grant men.
average 10 years longer than their less-educated peers. However, the 6 percent of Glueck men
who graduated from college were just as healthy, even in old age, as the Grant men.
2. Don’t smoke.
In both studies (and excluding alcohol abuse), smoking was the greatest contributor to
disease and early death in both studies.
disease and early death in both studies.
3. Don’t abuse alcohol.
Alcohol was the single greatest contributor to disease and early death in both
studies; 57 percent of participant divorces involved alcoholism. But it wasn’t a
bad marriage that led
to drinking; quite the opposite. Longtime study director George Vaillant concluded that
“alcohol is a cause, rather than a result, of life’s problems.”
studies; 57 percent of participant divorces involved alcoholism. But it wasn’t a
bad marriage that led
to drinking; quite the opposite. Longtime study director George Vaillant concluded that
“alcohol is a cause, rather than a result, of life’s problems.”
4. Exercise and (5.) maintain a healthy weight.
In a surprising twist, the study found that health predicts exercise at every age, but
exercise didn’t predict health in old age. In other words, don’t expect your treadmill to counterbalance that cheat-day pizza.
exercise didn’t predict health in old age. In other words, don’t expect your treadmill to counterbalance that cheat-day pizza.
6. Find healthy ways to cope with life’s lemons.
Part of the maturation process is transforming unhealthy defense mechanisms (self-
absorbed) into healthy ones (altruistic). The study separates defense mechanisms
into four categories, ranking from worst to best: psychotic, immature, neurotic
and mature. Participants with poor defense mechanisms typically turned to alcoholism, smoking, depression and unhealthy life habits.
absorbed) into healthy ones (altruistic). The study separates defense mechanisms
into four categories, ranking from worst to best: psychotic, immature, neurotic
and mature. Participants with poor defense mechanisms typically turned to alcoholism, smoking, depression and unhealthy life habits.
7. Foster positive relationships.
Touted as the single greatest predictor of success, Vaillant famously concluded: “
Happiness is love. Full stop.” As social creatures, we simply cannot thrive without strong social
connections.
Happiness is love. Full stop.” As social creatures, we simply cannot thrive without strong social
connections.
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