How to be happy and well rather than sad and sick

Researcher George Vaillant and his colleagues at Harvard University Health Services have found seven predictors, which are at least partly under personal control, and, if adhered to before age 50, can lead to good physical and mental health at ages 70, 80, and older. Some of them are old news, things like quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and not abusing alcohol. Others turn out to be surprises. For example, education trumps money and social prestige as a route to health and happiness. The other controllable predictors are marriage stability, weight, and coping mechanisms. Uncontrollable factors that affect successful aging include parents’ social class, family cohesion, longevity of ancestors, and childhood temperament. However, by age 70, these factors are no longer important. High cholesterol before age 50 also loses importance after a 70th birthday.