The opening line of an article in the May/June issue of Psychology Today asks the question: “What does it take to get a cake with 100 candles?”
A loaded question, it may seem, but the article continues to discuss the connection between attitude and life longevity. It may seem obvious, but the more positive and optimistic a person, the more likely that he or she will live a longer and healthier life. A recent study published in Current Gerontology and Geriatrics Research noted that those who are optimistic, conscientious, welcome new experiences and maintain close relationships might live well beyond the century mark.
A growing body of academic research is now focusing on the psychological state of people as they age rather than looking at physical and genetic dispositions that support longevity. One particular study published this year in Health and Quality of Life Outcomes showed that individuals’ own actions had a greater influence on their overall health than outside factors, including upbringing and environment. Such actions include but are not limited to positive self-talk, healthy physical activities, and strong self-efficacy.
Numerous people have reached – and gone beyond – the 100-year mark. More than a decade ago, Perelman wrote that positive attitudes reap long life. In his book “100 Centenarians,” Perelman outlined the lives of 100 individuals who lived to be at least 100. Although published in 1999, the book carries an underlying theme that is still relevant today. It revolves around what today’s modern scientific studies are now finding through research: positive attitudes are associated with long and healthy lives.
Here are three key examples noted by Perelman:
1. Grandma Moses (aka Anna Mary Robertson) was born in 1860 and died in 1961 at the young age of 101. Anna Mary suffered through numerous family losses from the blizzard of 1927 and an influenza epidemic of 1932. As she began to age, she started to paint to ease the pain of arthritis. At age 80, Grandma Moses sold her first paintings and the sales never stopped. Through family turmoil and her own physical aging, Grandma Moses never once uttered the words “woe is me.” She held a positive attitude and lived a long and prosperous life because of it.
2. Famous comedian George Burns had been born into poverty. His given name was Nathan and he was one of 12 children of the late Louis Phillip Birnbaum and Dorothy Bluth. According to Perelman, George “joked” his way out of poverty. At age 7, he joined a quartet and sang on the street to make money. He quit school in the fourth grade to sing, dance and perform roller skating tricks in vaudeville. As the story goes, George became a famous comedian, actor and television star. His secret to a long life might be attributed to his healthy sense of humor.
3. Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald Kennedy, mother of former president John F. Kennedy, lived to be 105. She was a stern mother and one who demanded that children behave properly. In the limelight quite often, Rose always kept an air of dignity. She maintained a positive attitude and outlook, regardless of what challenges faced her. According to a quote in Perelman’s book, she said, “God wants us to be happy and take pleasure in life. He doesn’t want us to be sad.” Of interest, her latter years were spent in a wheelchair due to multiple debilitating strokes; however, she always kept a positive attitude.
Two other interesting individuals who lived a long and prosperous life are not as well known. One of them was Marie Louise Levesque Chasse Meilleur, 117, mother of 10 children and resident of Canada. She had 85 grandchildren, 80 great-grandchildren, 57 great-great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-great-grandchildren. Perelman noted that she attributed her longevity to hard work and staying healthy. She had quit smoking at age 90 and died of natural causes in 1998. The other individual was Christian Mortensen, 115, of Denmark who stated in Perelman’s book: “A good cigar, lots of water, no alcohol and staying positive will keep you alive a long time.” He also died in 1998.
Some other notable Centenarians are: Dr. Katherine Bain, 101, a pediatrician who spearheaded efforts to create childproof safety caps for medicines as well as safety release standards for refrigerator doors; Irving Berlin, 101, writing of 1,500 songs including “God Bless America” and “White Christmas;” Dr. William D. Coolidge, 101, developer of the modern x-ray tube and tungsten filament used in electric light bulbs; Bessie Delany, 104, one of the first African American female dentists in the United States; Chester Cornelius Hoff, 107, New York Highlander major league baseball pitcher from 1911 to 1915 who struck out Ty Cobb during his second appearance; and Victor Mills, 100, Proctor and Gamble chemical engineer who developed Pampers disposable diapers.
Positive attitudes reap longevity. Research has confirmed this concept and real people have proven it by living to and beyond 100 years of age. Just maintain a positive attitude and you too may be able to blow out 100 candles on your birthday cake some day.
References
Bowling, A., & Iliffe, S. (2011). Psychological approach to successful ageing predicts future quality of life in older adults. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 9(1), 13-22.
Conrad, M. (2011). Feeling great at 108. Psychology Today, May/June 2011, 41.
Duenwald, M. (2002). Power of positive thinking extends, it seems, to aging. Global Action on Aging. Retrieved July 1, 2011 from http://www.globalaging.org/health/us/positive.htm.
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