Surprise. Surprise! The keys to wealth, longevity, weight loss and healthy living are the same!
Few aspects of finance have such an impact from a personal and social point of view as how long people live.
Long lives create more time to make money or more time that capital has to last. Longevity affects government spending, social security, medical costs, etc. Old age societies (most of the western world is getting older) have increasing struggles with younger nations. This can change global economic dynamics as most emerging countries are getting younger.
A USA Today article entitled "Nun's Story of Aging" explained why studying longevity in Nuns was so useful since the lifestyles they lead are so similar. Nuns do not face the variables we mortals must deal with out here in the rat race.
There were 678 Catholic Nuns aged 75 to 106 in the study. They were given rigorous mental and physical tests and they granted scientists their long-term medical records. They also pledged their brains to science. Since the study began 335 brains have been examined.
The conclusion so far is that aging is overrated. Old age can be just as fulfilling a part of life as adolescence!
What was most interesting were some conclusions about what might cause long, productive lives because these factors seem the same as those that also create wealth!
"Those who are hopeful, happy and optimistic in attitude live much longer."
The researchers have also discovered that those who had a rich vocabulary and were able to express themselves early in life were most likely to keep their intelligence intact in old age. Instead of "use it or lose it" the motto is "develop it and keep it!"
The Sisters also had a life pretty free of tobacco, alcohol and excesses of any kind. They were also mellow which is attributed to a life of faith, prayer and community. Another key is that they were always looking forward. They had a purpose and kept their minds active, reading, talking and working.
Purpose, hope, optimism, silence, activity and faith. These factors are also the fundamentals of wealth so it might be a good idea to read the book mentioned in the article "Aging with Grace: What the Nun Study Teaches Us About Leading Longer, Healthier and More Meaningful Lives." by David Snowdon.
