LIVING LIFE

As I mentioned in a previous post, I spend a fair amount of time in an anticipatory state of mind which leads to overthinking. Whether I was genetically programmed for this or if my upbringing is responsible is a debatable topic. I have been told more than once (ok, maybe many times) that I have a solution for a problem that has not yet even become a problem – in other words, I give the term “high alert” a whole new meaning. This mindset does not always support having a positive outlook toward life events.

While writing this post, I took a break to read the headlines on a news site. There was an article regarding longevity and having a positive attitude which caught my attention. Five characteristics were identified by David Watson, a personality professor at the University of Notre Dame. Surprisingly, having a positive attitude was not the greatest indicator of longevity in his studies. Conscientiousness, or how organized and disciplined you are, is the strongest characteristic related to longevity, according to Watson.

According to Watson, “This is likely because people with high degrees of conscientiousness are better at taking care of themselves. Conscientious people, for example, tend to drink alcohol in moderation and eat more balanced meals.”

“Conscientious people don’t do stupid things so they have lower rates of accidents and better health behaviors,” he says.

In light of this theory, being an overthinking Type A could actually be a good thing. I’ll let you know when I am 100.

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