According to a new study being optimistic is likely to result in us living longer and to achieve “exceptional longevity”.
Although research has identified many risk factors that increase the likelihood of diseases and premature death, much less is known about positive psychosocial factors that can promote healthy aging.
Optimism refers to a general expectation that good things will happen or believing that the future will be favourable because we can control important outcomes.
The study uses data collected from 69,744 women over 10 years and 1,429 men over 30 years.
Both groups completed survey questions to assess their level of optimism, as well as their overall health and habits, such as diet, smoking, and alcohol use.
When they compared individuals based on their initial levels of optimism, the researchers found that the most optimistic men and women demonstrated, on average, an 11% to 15% longer life span, and had 50% to 70% greater odds of reaching 85 years of age compared to the least optimistic groups.
Despite the good news, it’s still unclear how exactly optimism helps people attain longer life, but it’s likely that more optimistic people may be able to regulate emotions and behaviour as well as bounce back from stressors and difficulties more effectively.
