Secrets of Longevity

The self-healing personality and The Longevity Project

by Howard S. Friedman, Ph.D.

The How and Why of 100 Years of Happiness

Want to be happy and healthy for 100 years? A 100-year-old man in a 90-year study shows a way to good health and happiness. It is a unique case of a lifetime study of unparalleled scope, and a physician-participant who lived through it. Read More

The Worst New Year's Resolutions You Can Make

Most new year's resolutions are a bad idea. A 100-year-old man shows a better way to good health and happiness. Read More

Should You Get a Mammogram or Prostate Test?

Do you want someone cutting up your breast or prostate? There are other ways to think about the dilemma of medical tests like mammograms and P.S.A (prostate) tests. Read More

How Long Will Barack Obama Live? Premature Aging?

Have you seen the lame pictures? Are the stresses of the presidency aging and weakening President Obama? Now that he is 50, what are his chances for a long life? Read More

Do Jack LaLanne, Phyllis Diller, and Matt Lauer Know How to Live Forever?

You may have seen my wonderful colleague and co-author Dr. Leslie Martin on the Today Show (NBC) this week, being interviewed by Matt Lauer along with the director of the well-received new documentary How To Live Forever. Leslie was there as a health scientist with filmmaker Mark Wexler to provide research-based insight into the real reasons why some people stay healthy and live long. Read More

Died on the Fourth of July

The unexpected way to see many happy and healthy Fourth of July celebrations. HINT: It is not a life of artificial fireworks. Instead, follow the Founding Fathers. Read More

Boomers and Millennials Misunderstand How Long They Will Live

Don’t fall into this trap when estimating how long you and your family members are likely to live! Read More

Seinfeld and Glee Won’t Make You Healthy

Laughing at Seinfeld or Glee may be entertaining but don't think it will keep you healthy. Studying people for many decades reveals the real key reason why happiness is correlated with health. Read More

Can We Learn Psychology on the Martha Stewart Show?

This week, I and my co-researcher Dr. Leslie Martin were featured on The Martha Stewart Show. We were invited to appear with Martha and her studio audience to discuss our just-published book, The Longevity Project. Read More

Orgasms, Health and Longevity: Does Sex Promote Health?

Should health professionals be recommending more orgasms in a committed relationship as an effective tool of health promotion? Read More

Don’t Make New Year’s Resolutions: They’re Not Good for Your Health

New year's resolutions are a bad idea. Forget them! There are much better ways to stay healthier. There's a good clue in Auld Lang Syne. Read More

Scientific Reasons for Not Screening All Airline Passengers

images from scanners

The invasive passenger screenings at airports actually decrease the chances of finding a problem and averting an attack! Read More

The Missing Numbers in Cancer Screening Studies: That’s Not Health!

Recent news reports about fancy CT scans for lung cancer leave out the most important number you need to know, and they lead to a warped view of health! Read More

Secrets of Longevity: Healers Should Stop Fighting

Can we really think good thoughts and make ourselves healthier? How can we tell? Biomedical researchers and holistic healers need to stop the fighting. Read More

Howard S. Friedman, Ph.D., is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside.

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About Secrets of Longevity

How can we understand all the paradoxical health headlines? Put them into context. The usual piecemeal suggestions (relax, eat vegetables, lose weight, get married, do this, don't do that) are life-saving for some but neither effective nor economical for many. In fact, narrow medical advice often backfires, leaving us overweight and overstressed. As an alternative, our studies reveal that struggling with endless lists of specific health rules is unnecessary; instead the healthiest among us find broad pathways and patterns to better health.