Impact of Psychological and Mental Wellbeing on Longevity

Abstract

The world contains large numbers of the elderly and aging population. There are a number of studies that have been carried out to determine what factors enable a person to live to old age. This essay examines the effects of external factors such as environment, activity, and positive emotion on longevity. These factors do enhance the ability of a person to live for a long time, but psychological wellbeing and mental health play a more important role. The paper goes on to show how having a stable mental state and generally being happy contributes to an increased lifespan. The essay aims to support the argument that mental and psychological wellbeing play a greater role than external factors and social variables in ensuring longevity.

Keywords: human longevity; physical activity; positive emotional outlook; external environment; genetics; immunity; social factors; gender; psychology.

Impact of Psychological and Mental Wellbeing on Longevity

The ability of some members of the population to live beyond the normal human lifespan range has long fascinated scientists and psychologists. The question of why some people live to ripe old age while others die young is one that has warranted a number of studies. Factors that are thought to play a critical role in living a long life: having a healthy environment with the right nutrients and elements in drinking water and food, physical activity to improve blood flow to the body, boost immunity, and encourage deep breathing, and maintenance of a positive outlook in life. Other factors that are thought to play a critical role in extended lifespans include improved healthcare systems, social cohesion, and genetics (Cohrdes, Mensink, & Holling, 2018).

A 2016 study (Passarino, De Rango, & Montesanto, 2016) focused on the genetics of aging, and attempted to explain if good genes are what helps some people to live beyond normal human life expectancy. It has been positively shown that the level of genetic variability affects a person’s or organism’s lifespan. The genes that are most significant in enhancing longevity affect the cell integrity. Genes that promote the integrity of DNA also tend to promote healthy lifespan. Tom Johnson studied the effects of genetic coding on the lifespan of yeast cells, C. elegans. He observed that the genes daf2 and daf16 enable the organism to enter auto-survival mode in case of a lack of nutrients. This process allows the yeast cell to survive for a longer period of time until nutrients are available again. The outcome of this study showed that a long lifespan can be attained through efficient cell maintenance from the moment of reproduction to self-maintenance. This is alignment with the finding that having a restriction on diet can also enhance expected lifespan. However, genetics alone cannot guarantee longevity. A healthy psychological outlook is also required for one to live to old age.

Environmental Factors

In their article on understanding the relationship between the role played by environmental factors such as drinking water and soil quality on longevity, researchers found that trace elements and levels of mineral elements in drinking water enhance the possibility of living to a ripe old age among residents of Hechi in China (Deng, et al., 2018). After drinking water and soils samples were studied, the results showed that the state of drinking water around Hechi promotes healthy bodies, which in turn enhances expected lifespans for the residents. The parameters considered in the study include pH levels, arsenic levels, calcium content, and presence of heavy metals in the water supply around Hechi. It was concluded that the drinking water and soil contain levels of trace elements and nutrients that boost the lifespan and longevity of residents. However, these are external environmental factors. The psychological and mental wellbeing of the residents is more important in longevity. Psychological wellbeing is closely related to the health of a person (Steptoe, Deaton, & Stone, 2015). Evaluative wellbeing (being satisfied with one’s life) is lower in people with depressed moods, meaning that psychological health plays a significant role in physical health and longevity of an individual.

Frequent Activity: Exercising by the Elderly

Maintaining high activity levels has been cited as a means for the population to live longer. In a study on the effects of outdoor walking on longevity, the researchers found that simply walking for fifteen minutes each day promotes an increased lifespan in elderly people. Due to dysregulation of the body’s immune system leading to formation of a high amount of free radicals as one gets older, there is a marked increase in free-radical damage, and a corresponding decrease in antioxidant capacity of the body. This breakdown of the immune system brings about more opportunistic infections and occurrences of chronic diseases. Physical activity done moderately has been shown to boost immunological function in the body. Walking outside up to four times a week for a minimum of fifteen minutes decreases the mortality rate of elderly people through positive reinforcement of the body’s immune system because of increased physical activity (Fortes, et al., 2013). In as much as maintaining high activity levels serves to boost immune system function and improve longevity, psychological wellbeing is a protective factor in reducing the risk of chronic illness in old age. The hedonic wellbeing of a person, including feelings and moods such as happiness, stress, anger, sadness, or depression play a critical role in enhancing lifespan. The happier a person’s feelings and moods are, the higher the chance that the person will live longer (Ailshire & Crimmins, 2011). Factors such as marital status, loneliness, and social conditions are taken into account when demonstrating that increased life happiness leads to a longer lifespan. Increased depression due to decreased social contact brought on by widowhood, disability, and disease contributes to early mortality of elderly people.

Positive Thinking and Emotions

Positive thinking and emotions enhance the reduction of stress levels in the body. It also boost the immune system, along with reducing the risk of a major cardiovascular disease. The way a person views their own aging process and their life has a significant impact on the person’s lifespan. Maintaining an optimistic attitude and expecting good things to happen reduces one’s chances of suffering from chronic illness or dying earlier than necessary (Lee, et al., 2019). A study of Catholic sisters regarding their emotional wellbeing in early life showed that a happier disposition and positive emotions tend to reflect positively through enhanced longevity in later life (Danner, Snowdon, & Frissen, 2001). In essence, young people with a positive attitude towards growing old (as opposed to fearing it) tend to live longer. This positive perspective increases the likelihood of successful activities in one’s younger years, which can lead to a more comfortable life in older age. Life satisfaction is also improved once a person has lived a life of positive thinking coupled with positive emotions. In addition to this, positive thinking and emotions have been shown to greatly magnify one’s ability to withstand illness in later years, as well as developing a more proactive stance about one’s health choices. Older people tend to be more spiritually aware as compared to their younger counterparts. This lets them prioritize the truly meaningful things in life, such as family and friends. The happiness derived from such social interactions helps older people to maintain longevity.

Psychological and Mental Wellbeing are most Important

Some might argue that external factors such as regular exercise, proper nutrition and diet, positive emotions and outlook in life, combined with healthy social interactions are the only requirements for longevity. However, psychological and mental wellbeing are actually the most important factors affecting longevity of human beings. Once a person’s mind and emotions are in a state of balance, it follows that the person will have a healthy outlook in life by developing positive emotions and thinking patterns. This will in turn push the person towards maintaining a healthy eating regimen, as well as motivating them to exercise more frequently. This active engagement in one’s health matters also enhances one’s social interactions with friends and family, due to the increased self-esteem and feeling of belonging. A high sense of self-worth leads one to work hard towards achieving one’s goals, which also translates to more goals achieved. Such a person will look forward to old age, without worrying or fearing the aging process. Once the person accepts the aging process, there is a higher likelihood that they will live longer (Boccardi & Boccardi, 2019).

Conclusion

Longevity, which is an increased lifespan, has steadily increased in the 21st Century due to positive lifestyle changes and medical advances. More people are now living well into their eighties and nineties. The decline in infant mortality rate has played a significant role in promoting longevity in the population. There are many factors that have contributed to the longevity phenomenon, including medical advances and improved lifestyle choices, where individuals eat healthier food and regularly engage in exercising. Access to higher education has boosted the socio-economic status of individuals, meaning that a person can now receive adequate medical care.

Marital status among the elderly has been shown to be beneficial since married individuals tend to exhibit lower mortality rates as compared to the divorced and unmarried. Good social interactions promote cardiac health while fighting loneliness and isolation. Genetics also play a significant role in enabling longevity. Good genetics bring with them the ability to resist DNA degradation over time as one ages, as well as a more effective immune system. A strong immune system is more capable of fighting opportunistic infections and chronic diseases in old age.

Other external factors such as nutrient quality of drinking water and food also enhance lifespan. Food and water with high nutrient and trace element counts will help the body develop a strong immune system that helps one to live longer. Positive thinking and emotions also help one to do positive things that benefit one’s wellbeing, such as exercising and eating healthy.

The most important of all the factors affecting longevity is the psychological and mental wellbeing of an individual. Soundness of mind and emotions helps a person to engage in all the aforementioned positive activities, such as drinking clean water, eating healthy foods, accessing quality healthcare, developing positive thinking patterns, and maintaining healthy relationships. A healthy mental state also encourages regular exercise which has the added advantage of boosting overall health. It is psychological and mental wellbeing that is the most important factor in longevity, since a positive outlook towards aging enables one to accept the aging process and thus live longer as an elderly person.