self-control

sacred salubriousness: why religious belief is not the only path to a healthier life

why is there a "strong correlation between religiosity and lower mortality"?

"religious people are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, such as visiting dentists and wearing seat belts, and are less likely to smoke, drink, take recreational drugs and engage in risky sex. Why? Religion provides a tight social network that reinforces positive behaviors and punishes negative habits and leads to greater self-regulation for goal achievement and self-control over negative temptations... Religions offer the ultimate delay of gratification strategy (eternal life), and the authors cite research showing that 'religiously devout children were rated relatively low in impulsiveness by both parents and teachers.'"

"The underlying mechanisms of setting goals and monitoring one’s progress, however, can be tapped by anyone, religious or not... In his lab Baumeister has demonstrated that self-control can be increased with practice of resisting temptation, but you have to pace yourself because, like a muscle, self-control can become depleted after excessive effort. Finally, the authors note, “Religion also improves the monitoring of behavior, another of the central steps of self-control. Religious people tend to feel that someone important is watching them.” For believers, that monitor may be God or other members of their religion; for nonbelievers, it can be family, friends and colleagues."

what i'd like to know is what's so great about living so long anyway? though i suppose the assumption is that you'll be healthy. and if you can have quality and quantify that would be even better.