The scientist's lifestyle embodied practices shown to promote longevity and happiness. Here are lessons from her simple but intentional ways.
Living nine decades in itself is a feat, not to mention all the change that Dr. Jane Goodall influenced. The iconic primatologist, who was born on April 3, 1934 and died October 1, 2025 at age 91, first became famous for her intensely immersive work with chimpanzees when in 1960 she moved into a canvas tent on the edge of Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park.
Dr. Goodall went on to spend 15 years following chimps through the forest—sometimes for hours at a stretch—observing them up close in a way no scientist had done before. Among many groundbreaking discoveries she made was that some primates, like humans, use tools in their daily lives; and, as the Jane Goodall Institute posted on Instagram the day before her reported passing, she stated: “Chimp communities are large and deeply bonded, but they often split into smaller groups during the day to forage, rest, or explore, and then come back together later. This constant shifting allows them to adapt to changing resources and manage social tensions.”
Some of her primate insights parlayed into human observations, and she became a tireless advocate for conservation, animals, and the planet. Eventually Dr. Goodall became one of the best-known faces of the green movement, recognized everywhere from the United Nations General Assembly to late-night talk shows. Through the Jane Goodall Institute and her Roots & Shoots youth program, her efforts helped protect over 3 million acres of critical habitat, inspired young leaders in more than 100 countries, garnered support for policies that safeguarded countless animal lives, and raised tens of millions of dollars for conservation.
How did the nonagenarian do all this? While good genetics surely played a role as her parents both lived to age 94, Goodall’s long life can also be credited to her many healthy habits. From a conscious diet to her deep sense of purpose, the scientist’s lifestyle embodied the kind of practices that research shows support both longevity and quality of life. Notes trained family physician Dr. Patricia Varacallo, DO: “Even in her eighties, Jane Goodall spent most of the year traveling the globe to share her message, inspire others, and advocate for animals. Her lifelong curiosity and deep connection to the natural world remind us that staying close to nature, and especially to its creatures, may be one of the most powerful ways to nurture a long and meaningful life.”
Read on to learn 11 healthy lessons from Jane Goodall’s life that can inspire all of us.
She had a strong sense of purpose
Goodall didn’t just have a career—she had a calling, a mission. What began as long days in the Tanzanian forest studying chimpanzees grew into a lifelong mission of conservation and activism. Unlike people who dream of slowing down at retirement, Goodall seemed to speed up—still traveling nearly 300 days a year in her eighties and nineties to share her message.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you,” she wrote in her book, Jane Goodall: 40 Years at Gombe. “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Some research has shown that having a strong sense of purpose is linked with lower rates of depression, better health outcomes, and greater resilience as we age. Purpose gives you a reason to get up in the morning, but it also motivates you to maintain healthy routines, engage with your community, and stay mentally sharp.
She walked every day
While she was not a gym rat (though we imagine she had a soft spot for rodents), Jane Goodall got plenty of exercise. Her fieldwork meant hours of walking, trekking, and climbing through forest terrain—being physically active in ways most of us would call a full-body workout. Even after her days in the forest slowed, she stayed remarkably active through her nonstop speaking tours and travel.
“I think the most important thing is to keep active, and to hope that your mind stays active,” she said in a 2010 Feminist.com interview. Regular movement, especially activities that challenge balance and strength, is one of the strongest predictors of longevity because it helps protect the heart, muscles, bones, and metabolism well into older age.
She spent lots of time outdoors
Goodall’s life was spent mostly outdoors—tracking chimpanzees under leafy canopies, trekking through jungles, breathing air that carried the scent of earth and wood. It wasn’t just good for her spirit. Decades of research now show nature can actually boost your health in important ways that can then extend your lifespan. In fact, it’s so powerful that the Japanese swear by “shinrin-yoku” or “forest bathing” as a type of medicine.
A 2022 study published in Environmental Health and Preventative Medicine found that being outdoors reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), lowers blood pressure, boosts immune function, promotes better sleep, improves cognitive function, and lifts mood in ways that linger even after you return back to your office habitat. Basically, nature is powerful medicine—and Dr. Goodall got a dose nearly every day of her long life.
She ate a plant-based diet
Goodall gave up eating meat decades ago, saying in a Feminist.com interview: “I have to say that I attribute vast amounts of my energy to the fact that I stopped eating meat. I really, really believe that it helped me.”
She often described feeling “lighter” and more energized after cutting meat from her diet. She even helped publish a cookbook promoting plant-based meals. Of course, she still allowed herself treats—she was well known to love cake and it was featured at many of her celebrations—but her everyday meals were centered on plants, a choice nutrition science now strongly supports.
Diets rich in vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and with limited red or processed meat are associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, inflammation, and better metabolic health. Reducing meat, and replacing it with high-quality plant protein such as nuts or beans, has been associated with a longer life.
She cultivated calm
Even with a schedule that would overwhelm most of us—planes, interviews, lectures, meetings (the occasional rogue monkey)—Goodall rarely seemed stressed and carried herself with a kind of serenity that others noticed. “I’ve cultivated a way that I don’t get stressed very often,” she said in a 2017 interview with The Cut. That way? Meditation and mindfulness (no yoga mat or audio subscription required). Focused mindfulness was an important part of her work, cultivated through years of sitting quietly, notebook in hand, waiting for a chimpanzee to make a move.
Chronic stress is harmful—raising cortisol, damaging cardiovascular health, undermining immune function, and accelerating aging—so learning to manage stress through mindfulness is an important protective tool as we age.
She lived surrounded by animals
From the dogs she loved at home to the primates who made her famous, animals were always at the center of Goodall’s life. She not only studied them, she empathized with them, famously giving her chimps names like Flo and David Greybeard when most scientists of the time dismissed that idea as unscientific. “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help,” she famously wrote about animal conservation in her book Jane Goodall: 40 Years at Gombe. Her empathy for animals also gave her joy, companionship, and comfort—benefits every pet lover understands.
Goodall revealed in recent years that dogs, in fact, were her favorite animal.
She made time for self-care
Though she was extremely busy, Jane Goodall recognized the importance of taking time to step back, to recalibrate, and to maintain balance in life. “Have you ever heard the saying that you need to love yourself first? I think this is true in all aspects of life. We are able to function at our best when we make time to take care of ourselves, mentally and physically. This applies to our work or school as well as relationships,” she wrote in her Jane Goodall’s Good for All News newsletter, adding emphatically, “It’s not selfish!”
She built strong relationships
Though much of her early work was solitary, Jane surrounded herself with people she loved and trusted—her family, colleagues, and especially the young activists in her Roots & Shoots program. She often reminded people, “Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.” That belief carried into her friendships and connections, helping her maintain the social ties that science tells us are essential for health and happiness.
Indeed, one of the biggest findings of the Harvard Longevity Study—a nearly 100-year study looking at human health and happiness—is that a strong community and close relationships are a big predictor of how long you will live.
She traveled regularly
If there was one trait that defined Goodall, it might be curiosity. She was constantly trying to learn something new and she did this by taking every opportunity to visit new places and try new things.
This type of exposure to novelty, cognitive challenge, new settings, and cultural exchanges stimulate the brain in unique ways, lowering stress, improving memory and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Travel also presents social interactions that require adaptability, which fellow biologist Charles Darwin considered the most important trait for survival.
She lived simply
Despite being one of the most recognized figures in the world, Jane Goodall lived simply. Always one to practice what she preached, she was famous for carrying her own travel kettle so she could make tea anywhere. Additionally, she said in a 2017 interview that as a way to minimize waste, she tried not to utilize hotel housekeeping services. At home, she lived sustainably, keeping her possessions to a minimum, reducing physical and mental clutter.
Reducing all types of clutter and being grateful for what you have instead of constantly pursuing wealth or the next big thing is a surefire way to feel happier every day. Gratitude is also correlated with better mental and physical health and a longer life. Dr. Goodall’s simple life was a win/win for her and the planet.
She carried hope everywhere
Jane Goodall was known for her unshakable optimism. No matter the environmental and political crises at hand, she insisted on carrying hope like the rest of us carry our phones—always close, always ready. In fact, she was so convinced of the power of positive thinking that she wrote The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times. “Hope is what enables us to keep going in the face of adversity,” she wrote in her book. “It is what we desire to happen, but we must be prepared to work hard to make it so.”
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