Home > The Impact Personality Can Have on Your Health

The Impact Personality Can Have on Your Health

Mather Institute partnered with Northwestern University to conduct the Age Well Study, a five-year study that analyzes the impact of living in a Life Plan Community. The main focus of this study is on the residents’ self-reported health metrics through surveys that are taken annually over a period of five years.

This year marks year two of the study, which took a closer look at factors that may be associated with healthy behaviors and overall healthiness of residents that live in a Life Plan Community. The study found that certain personality traits can actually influence your overall health and well-being.

5 Personality Traits that Influence Overall Health

Based on the findings from the Mather Institute’s Age Well Study, your personality traits can directly impact your overall health and well-being. The following Big Five personality traits were studied and results showed that they can directly impact an individual’s level of overall healthiness.

1. Openness. People that display high levels of openness enjoy intellectual activities and new experiences. They also have active imaginations and are more in touch with their feelings. This personality trait helps you to be more socially active and eat a healthier diet overall. The study shows that participants with this trait also reported better health overall, and a lower overall level of stress.
2. Extroversion. Being extroverted means you are outgoing, talkative and you enjoy large amounts of social interaction. The study showed that when you are more extroverted, you are more physically active, socially active and consume an overall healthier diet. Participants in the study that were more extroverted reported better overall health and lower stress levels.
3. Conscientiousness. When you display high levels of conscientiousness, you typically have higher levels of discipline and dependability. When you are conscientious, you tend to be organized, detail-oriented and plan ahead. Participants in this study that exhibited traits of conscientiousness reported lower levels of stress and better health.
4. Agreeableness. This trait refers to how much you value getting along with others. When you are helpful, empathetic and generous, you are considered to be an agreeable individual. The study suggested that participants who are more agreeable are also more socially active and spend more time on personal contemplation, resulting in lower levels of overall stress.
5. Neuroticism. If you are someone with high levels of neuroticism, this means you often experience negative moods. This could include feeling anxious, angry or sad. The study suggested that participants with higher levels of neuroticism eat less healthy diets and reported a worse overall level of health and stress in their lives.

To read the Mather Institute’s Age Well Study in its entirety, you can download the report for free.

Independent Living at Peabody Retirement Community

At Peabody Retirement Community, we offer you a vibrant independent senior living community to help you live as healthy and happy a life as possible. Whether you’re going to dinner with friends at one of our dining venues or taking a walk on our 33-acre campus, you’re sure to find a healthy and engaging activity to take part in.

Join us for our virtual event, Coffee and Conversation, that occurs every Friday at 10am. Enjoy conversation and virtual company from the comfort of your home. RSVP for the event today.

Residents of our independent living community can enjoy restaurant-style dining, a library with internet access, scheduled transportation, diverse activities and more. We welcome you to contact us today at 260-201-2701 to learn more about our unique independent senior living community and schedule a virtual tour.