A Dog, A Marriage And A Few Good Friends: Research’s Answer To Longevity

We’re always looking for the secret to a longer life… and we thought we’d found the key with some of these unusual ones.

But now, new research has revealed the scientifically-proven keys to a longer life.

Owning a dog, having a happy marriage and plenty of good friends are the secrets to longevity, according to a landmark study.

The Grant study found all these are more important than where you were born, whether you were born into a wealthy or poor family or what social class you are in.

The study started in 1940 and followed more than 200 young, white, healthy American men from youth to old age, with evaluations taking place every two years. 

The report found that longevity has far more to do with happiness than social class.

The current director of the study, George Vaillant from Harvard Medical School, told BBC Radio Four's Today programme that fulfilling relationships were the key to a happy and long life, adding that only four of the 31 single men in the study were still alive today, compared with more than a third of those in “good relationships”.

“Having a loving family is terribly important, but from 70 to 90 years old you'd be surprised at the people who, despite enormous deprivation, manage to find love later on,” he said.

“If you want to be happy, and don't have a six-month-old baby to trade smiles with, get yourself a puppy.

“The finding on happiness is that happiness is the wrong word. The right words for happiness are emotional intelligence, relationships, joy, connections and resilience.”

So that’s what we’re looking for!

Regarding pets, previous research has found that owning a pet dog improves your physical and mental wellbeing more than having a cat.

Dog owners have also been found to have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol.

The report also found that marriages bring much more contentment after the age 70 and how we age after 80 is interestingly more about habits formed before the age of 50, rather than genetics.

But Mr Vaillant said it’s never too late to find love.

“Having a loving family is terribly important, but from 70 to 90 years old you’d be surprised at the people who, despite enormous deprivation, manage to find love later on.”

He also said the study gave him a “lot of hope”.