How to live longer

That sounds like a tabloid headline, doesn’t it? But the British government studied their citizens to determine what makes people happy and content.

It is a simple question, but it may just reveal whether or not you will live to a ripe old age: does somebody love you?
Those who can confidently answer ‘yes’ are significantly more likely to be alive for the next 10 years than those who feel all alone. For love is a more accurate factor than smoking in predicting life expectancy, according to David Halpern, a senior policy adviser in the Downing Street strategy unit.

His work on the science of happiness is increasingly influencing government. He says adored people are happy people, and the happier they are, the longer and more productive lives they lead.
Such ideas may raise eyebrows, but they are being taken increasingly seriously within government as the startling impact of happiness on citizens’ lives – and lifespans – becomes clearer.

‘There is a study of college graduation photographs, the sort where you are told to smile,’ Halpern told The Observer. ‘A third of people have a true smile, about a third have got a fake smile, and the rest look miserable. People have used those photographs [to trace the students’ future lives] and they are predictive of hard outcomes like your life expectancy and the state of your marriage.’

A similar study in nuns, meanwhile, analysing statements given when entering cloisters, showed life expectancy varying by nearly a decade between the happiest and unhappiest. And love, it seems, has the biggest impact of all: ‘There is a pretty strong relationship between subjective wellbeing and longevity. The single strongest predictor of whether you will be alive in 10 years’ time is whether you say yes to the question, “does somebody love you?” ‘

And, I’m thinking, ‘do you show others that you love them?’

While the biological relationship between happiness and health is unclear, research has shown happy people have lower blood pressure and are less likely to abuse drink or drugs. Being shown kindness can even produce a measurable surge of oxytocin – the ‘bonding’ hormone released by breastfeeding mothers and couples during orgasm – which has a de-stressing effect.

Halpern’s surprising findings are at the heart of the forthcoming policy review designed to establish Tony Blair’s legacy. Ideas now being studied by ministers include proposals to stimulate kindness towards others – shown to make both giver and receiver happier – by offering special ‘community credits’ to those who do good works. In Japan, for example, such a scheme funds community care for the elderly.

That’s one way to encourage acts of kindness and charity. And it’s a ‘win-win.’

For ultimately, according to Halpern, our happiness relies on those closest to us: ‘The way in which people treat each other is really, really important. Acts of consideration and kindness loom very large.’ In other words, to do yourself a favour – first do a favour for someone else. It could just save your life.

(Tip to MercatorNet‘s Family Edge)