Older people who are satisfied with life are much less likely to die early, a study has found.
Researchers said that feeling a sense of purpose and control in life could protect against a range of diseases by lowering levels of stress hormones or blood pressure. They argued that it was no longer good enough to aim mainly at preventing depression, calling for policies to improve people’s overall wellbeing for the sake of their physical health.
People are least satisfied in middle age, and regain youthful levels of wellbeing only in their 60s, the study also found.
Scientists rated people’s wellbeing at 65 by their answers to questions about whether they felt in control of their lives, had a sense of purpose and opportunities to