Who doesn’t want the secret to a long, healthy life? We’ve all heard the adage that if you got married, exercised regularly, maintained a positive disposition and didn’t work too hard, you’d be well on your way.

Well, maybe not.

Health researchers at UC Riverside examined the data collected during an eight-decades-long Stanford University study of 1,500 people and found compelling evidence to the contrary, debunking much of the conventional wisdom on why some of us live long lives.

In “The Longevity Project,” published earlier this year, psychology professors Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin explain why many of our assumptions are “ill-advised or simply wrong.”

A better predictor of longevity is the degree to which you stay connected to others, professionally and personally, according to Friedman. “In our study, those participants—whether male or female—who could nurture the quality of social connectedness stayed healthier,” he says. In other words, living a purposeful life with strong connections to others and the community is a pretty good plan for successful aging.

One explanation is that close involvement with others, combined with persistence and prudence in one’s work life, make it less likely to develop bad habits. “In fact, those who were carefree, undependable and unambitious early in life, and who were very unsuccessful in their careers, had a whopping increase in their mortality risk,” says Friedman.

Many of be.group’s longer-lived residents could be poster children for this study. In addition to staying engaged and connected through life in their communities, they have a few other secrets to longevity they’d like to share.

LOU PAYNE

Staying Active

Being the jock as a kid won’t necessarily guarantee anything as you grow older, but staying active and productive throughout life—even staying on the job—helps to extend life. White Sands La Jolla resident Lou Payne celebrated his 90th birthday this year by bungee jumping nearly 200 feet from a crane. It was the former aeronautical engineer’s fourth jump since turning 73, when he biked the 500-mile trek from San Francisco to San Diego with his nephew. His longevity secret is “clean living and working out every day.”

 Watch Lou Payne bungee jump for his 90th birthday

HAL & KIRBY DAVIS

Holy Matrimony

“The Longevity Project” finds that marriage alone is no guarantee to a long life. According to the study, the husband’s happiness will determine the long-term health of the marriage. It seems to be working for Westminster Gardens resident Hal Davis, who says he’s has been a happy camper since the day he married his wife, Kirby, in 1945. “Our marriage has been a wonderful experience,” he says. Kirby agrees, adding that “the most important thing is to choose the right person.”

ETHEL WHITSON

Lifelong Faith

Religion plays a role in producing a long life, particularly for women who have remained faithful since childhood. The church has always held a special place in Royal Oaks resident Ethel Whitson’s life, from spending summers in vacation Bible school as a girl to serving as chair of her community’s spiritual life committee. “I’m not a preacher,” she says. “I’m just a believer and try to live my life by example.”

HERMAN BRANIN

Finding Balance

It’s long been said that 30 minutes of exercise will lead to a long life. But researchers take note that in our later years, social activity is just as important.Redwood Town Court resident Herman Branin has found a happy balance between both. He’s been an active volunteer both at Town Court and in Escondido generally, serving as a docent for the Escondido History Center. When it comes to exercise, he lifts weights, does pool exercises and takes long walks—all of which helped him snag a medal at a local 5k run/walk race. “I never push myself over the edge in doing anything,” he says.

JOHN “JACK” SCOTT

War and Long Life

The demands of war can take a toll on one’s life, both mentally and physically. In the longevity study, many who fought in World War II have since thrived. One important reason: they stay connected. Regents Point resident Jack Scott, a former U.S. Navy rear admiral, served for 32 years, which he says “was of great satisfaction.” He now spends his time pursuing other interests including acting—for example, playing the ghost of Christmas future in “Scrooge Makes Up” at Regents Point this holiday season. Moving into the community “gave me an opportunity to continue a lifestyle I enjoy, which is one where I’m around people and have an opportunity to serve,” says Scott.