Having a partner who looks on the bright side of life could stave off the risk factors leading to Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, and cognitive decline as you grow old together, according to new US research.
The Michigan State University study – which followed 4,500 heterosexual couples for up to eight years – found a potential link between being married to an optimistic person and preventing the onset of cognitive decline – thanks to a healthier environment at home.
In many cases, the researchers found that the more optimistic partner would lead by example, such as quitting smoking or starting exercise (why does something tell us these were mostly women?)
With maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active and not smoking strongly linked to cognitive decline, the study found people who are married to optimists tended to score better on all those risk factors.
“We spend a lot of time with our partners,” William Chopik, assistant professor of psychology at Michigan State University and coauthor of the study, explained.
“They might encourage us to exercise, eat healthier, or remind us to take our medicine. When your partner is optimistic and healthy, it can translate to similar outcomes in your own life. You actually do experience a rosier future by living longer and staving off cognitive illnesses.”
But can you prescribe optimism?
Professor Chopik says there is some evidence you can ‘train’ yourself to be more optimistic.
“There are studies that show people have the power to change their personalities, as long as they engage in things that make them change,” he says. “Part of it is wanting to change. There are also intervention programs that suggest you can build up optimism.”
Time to practise seeing the glass as half-full then?
