Do you wake up every morning excited to head to work? If your job doesn’t necessarily incite passion, what about volunteer or extracurricular activities or your family? In fact, a sense of purpose isn’t just about making you happy in the present moment, new research shows that it may have an impact on your longevity.

People who feel in control of their lives tend to live longer than those who don’t, according to a study published in the Lancet. Researchers at the University of London monitored the wellbeing of 9,000 English participants over age 65 and found that those who were the most fulfilled were 30 percent more likely to live through a follow-up 8 1/2 years later.

Researchers used a questionnaire to measure participant sense of control, sense of purpose, and feeling that they were worthwhile. In all, 9 percent of those in the highest wellbeing group died within the follow-up period while 29 percent of those in the least satisfied category died within the same period, according to Huffington Post.

“These [latest] analyses show that the meaningfulness and sense of purpose that older people have in their lives are also related to survival,” Professor Andrew Steptoe, who led the study, said to Huffington Post. “We cannot be sure that higher wellbeing necessarily causes lower risk of death, since the relationship may not be causal.”

“But the findings raise the intriguing possibility that increasing well-being could help to improve physical health,” he added, noting that further research is needed.

Bottom line – it’s never too late to go after your passion in life and in the end, your happiness in mind and spirit may be just as connected to your health as diet and exercise. Take time to be mindful of living your life well.

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Want to experience as much longevity as possible? Use these secret life tips from people who’ve lived longer than most.

Average life expectancy in many countries has increased significantly over the past century. Still, there’s no guarantee that any of us will live to a certain age. Accidents and disease can’t be predicted or prevented 100 percent of the time. But there are things we can all do to give our bodies and minds the best chance at spending a long time on this planet. It’s what those things are that might surprise you!

According to Forbes, one out of every 6,000 people living in the U.S. is 100 years old, and that percentage is growing. Using current mortality rates as a guide, experts predict that 3 percent of today’s girls will live to be 100, while 1.5 percent of boys will do the same.

For many years, researchers have compared and analyzed the longevity of the world’s oldest people. What were their eating habits? Did they exercise every day? Did they come from large families? Were they religious? Antisocial? Happy in their careers?

While many of the world’s oldest people credit simple, healthy behaviors as their secret life tips, many indulged in bad habits that could be considered unhealthy as well. The trick, it seems, is to strike a good balance between the things that make you happy and the things that keep you healthy.

Secret life tips of cetenarians (100+ years) and supercentenarians (110+ years) are cataloged in the infographic below, but we’ve also gathered up some trusted advice about how to take care of your body and mind, so that they’ll take care of you for as many years as possible.

Secret Life Tips from The World’s Oldest People

1. Eat Well, But Treat Yourself – Diets that are high in fruits in veggies have been linked with longer life in numerous epidemiological studies. But that’s not to say that the occasional indulgence isn’t good for you as well. Pearl Cantrell, 105, attributes her long and healthy life to bacon. “I love bacon, I eat it everyday,” she told NBC affiliate KRBC. Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 at age 122 credited her longevity to drinking port wine and eating about two pounds of chocolate every week.

2. Don’t Avoid Stress, Learn To Manage It – When you live to be 100 years or more, it’s a guarantee that you’ll run into a rough patch. One of the most common secret life tips of the world’s oldest people isn’t to strive for bliss, but rather to roll with the punches. In fact, those who felt moderately stressed about work goals tended to live longer. Develop personal tricks that help you cope with stress and anxiety, surround yourself with friends who will remind you what’s important when the going gets rough. And never underestimate the power of a deep breath.

3. Do What You Love, and Try New Things – Achieving a career that both satisfies and pays what you’re worth is easier said than done. If you’re lucky enough to find a job that makes you happy, hold on with both hands. If not, try to find fulfillment in other ways–by volunteering, sharing your space and skills, and spending time with those you love. Also, be sure to challenge your heart and mind by getting outside your comfort zone–whether it’s a new hobby, new social situations, or pushing yourself to conquer a professional goal.

Related on Ecosalon:

Long Life Tonic: Concentration and Rejuvenation
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10 Best Cities In America For Health And Happiness

Image: Will Clayton

Infographic Source: TopCollegesOnline.org

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Life expectancy is increasing, as is quality of life for many people. So, how old are we, really?

The youthful glimmer in Betty White’s eyes speaks volumes. Although the 90-year-old’s body may be winding itself down, she’s still highly active and engaged in living. There’s no question that age is better measured as a state of mind than what shape the body’s in. Still, we are bound to these bodies, which are highly influenced by our diet and lifestyle choices. When taken care of, they can be more resilient to illness and disease, maintaining a youthful appearance and vigor up until the very end. Modern science, for all its chemical “cures,” has significantly helped to thwart diseases and preventable deaths with valuable advancements in internal medicine, surgery and early disease detection.

We can—and are—living longer. Still, stigmas exist about benchmark ages. Many people still aim to retire at 65 when they may have 30 or 40 good years left. Will this change? Are Ms. White and other youthful seniors examples of aging redefined?

Jodi Sawyer, RN says, at least for women, 40 really is the new 30 (phew!). “Women in their 40s are looking and feeling better than ever! Life no longer starts going downhill the second we hit that magic number.” While women may be more susceptible to aging stereotypes, we do also seem to be aging slower. Many women in their 40s, 50s and 60s are still the epitome of glamor, sexiness and health, even if they still dye their hair and wear push-up bras…after all, there are lots of ladies in their 20s who do this anyway.

Boomer and aging expert Dr. Ken Dychtwald calls this the “Longevity Revolution,” which, he says, may have a greater influence on humanity than both the industrial and technological revolutions combined. That’s a pretty big statement, but it also feels really right. Never before in recorded history have we lived this long. While 100 years ago, women weren’t expected to live much past age 40, now many are just beginning to start families at that age. We’ve got marathon runners gleefully sprinting across the finish line in their 80s and 90s. Dustin Hoffman just made his directorial debut at age 75. Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen perform stage antics in their 60s that many limber 20-year-olds aren’t likely to try anytime soon. While industry and technology have given us great tools for life–longer, more fulfilling lives are dictating what we do with them.

Take a stroll into decades past (I do this regularly by watching Turner Classic Movies until my boyfriend finally hides the remote) and you’ll notice that many of the actresses and actors look decades older than their actual age—at least, by our standards. A 40-year-old Humphrey Bogart could pass for 60, or even 70 today. Granted, there was a lot more cigarette smoking (particularly for Bogey) and quite a few other less-than-healthy habits back then; but it’s not just today’s health food freaks who look and feel younger.

If 40 really is the new 30, what does 70 or 100 look like? With longer lifetimes becoming the new normal, have you asked yourself what you might do with all that “extra” time? How old do you really feel? These are important questions to ask ourselves so that we’re not only prepared for the likelihood of longer lives, but so that we may live them to the fullest.

According to Dychtwald, our longer life spans will provide “time to chart a new course.” These are comforting and inspiring words as we can begin to reshape how we look at our “golden years”—no longer is it the beginning of the end, but, perhaps it’s just another beginning altogether. He adds, “We’ll have the time and resources to reverse past failures or build on past victories, perhaps changing careers, taking a sabbatical, or returning to school. With longer life spans, there will also be sufficient time to take a more active and contributing role in the lives of our children, grandchildren and community life.”

If we are indeed at the beginning of a longevity revolution, we’re all at a unique advantage. Unlike revolutions past, where the majority of the work was left to the few experts in the field, we all play a role in how we embrace aging and reshaping a world where “old” is no longer a measure of age.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image: Off Their Rockers via Facebook

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