People with this trait live longer, research shows

A tidy house, a strict schedule, and always knowing where your keys are—it might sound a bit corny, but it can be surprisingly rewarding. Research shows that organized people experience many benefits, including a longer life. In other words, a little order in the chaos could easily lead to a longer, more enjoyable life.

It all has to do with your stress level. Being organized, active, and helpful not only makes you a better person, it can even contribute to a longer lifespan. Frequently being stressed, anxious, or moody, on the other hand, can be linked to a shorter lifespan.

Researchers say their findings, published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research , could help doctors develop tools to predict health risks, not only based on blood pressure and cholesterol, but also on a person's thinking, feelings, and behavioral characteristics.

René Mõttus, psychologist and co-author of the study, says: “Rather than looking at broad, all-encompassing personality types like being extroverted, we zoomed in on other factors: the precise ways in which people talked about themselves.”

The research included more than 22,000 adults in four large studies, with follow-up periods ranging from 6 to 28 years.

So what exactly are those positive qualities? "The word 'active' stood out the most," says Mõttus. "Participants who described themselves this way were significantly less likely to die during the study period, with a 21 percent lower risk. Even when age, gender, and medical conditions were also taken into account."

Qualities such as lively, organized, responsible, hardworking, thorough and helpful followed soon after.

Páraic O'Súilleabháin, co-author and senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Limerick in Ireland, says: “Our research suggests that personality is not just a general influence, but also consists of specific behaviours and attitudes.” It’s not about general accuracy or extroversion, but about specific traits such as hard work, thoroughness, liveliness and activity.

According to him, these specific traits predicted mortality risk better than the five broader traits normally used to summarize personality: openness, conscientiousness (or being careful), extraversion , agreeableness, and neuroticism.

While positive traits help people live longer, the researchers also discovered that their opposites had the opposite effect. People who scored high on traits associated with neurotic behavior, such as moodiness, anxiety, or being easily upset, were more likely to die sooner.

Before people suddenly try to change their personality, the authors emphasize that their findings aren't always conclusive. Worrying doesn't automatically shorten your lifespan, and never missing a deadline doesn't always guarantee a longer lifespan.

“What our research does suggest is that personality can indeed play a role, something that is often underestimated in medicine and general public health,” O'Súilleabháin emphasises.

Why is being organized so beneficial for your health? According to O'Súilleabháin, being organized can help people maintain routines that promote health. It can also indicate psychological resilience or social habits that contribute to a longer life.

Samuel Henry, research associate, adds: "Someone who doesn't consider themselves 'organized' may have difficulty taking their medication on time, for example. And someone who doesn't feel 'active' may need extra support to stay active."