New Evidence That Optimists Live Longer
This is a writeup on “New Evidence That Optimists Live Longer”, an article recently published in Science Daily.
This does not surprise me in the least. Based on my own experience, my grandfather lived to the ripe old age of 102, was in full possession of all his mental faculties, and appeared to be happy. In all the years that I knew him, I never heard that man say a bad word about anyone. He was always in a good mood and was never cross.
Now there is new evidence that optimists live longer
After decades of research, a new study links optimism and prolonged life
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, have found that individuals with greater optimism are more likely to live longer and to achieve ‘exceptional longevity,’ that is, living to age 85 or older. Finally, after decades of research, a new study links optimism and prolonged life.
Optimism refers to a general expectation that good things will happen, or believing that the future will be favorable because we can control important outcomes. 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.
The study was based on 69,744 women and 1,429 men. Both groups completed survey measures to assess their level of optimism, as well as their overall health and health habits such as diet, smoking and alcohol use. When individuals were compared based on their initial levels of optimism, the researchers found that the most optimistic men and women demonstrated on average an 11 to 15 percent longer lifespan. In addition, they had 50-70 percent greater odds of reaching the age of 85 compared to the least optimistic groups. The results were maintained after accounting for age, demographic factors such as educational attainment, chronic diseases, depression as well as health behavior (alcohol use, exercise, diet and primary care visits).
“While research has identified many risk factors for diseases and premature death, we know relatively less about positive psychosocial factors that can promote healthy aging,” explained corresponding author Lewina Lee, PhD, clinical research psychologist at the National Center for PTSD at VA Boston and assistant professor of psychiatry at BUSM. She added that “this study has strong public health relevance because it suggests that optimism is one such psychosocial asset that has the potential to extend the human lifespan.
It is unclear exactly how optimism helps people attain longer life. According to senior author Laura Kubzansky (PhD, MPH, Lee Kum Kee Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences and co-director, Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health), “Other research suggests that more optimistic people may be able to regulate emotions and behavior as well as bounce back from stressors and difficulties more effectively.” The researchers also consider that more optimistic people tend to have healthier habits, such as being more likely to engage in more exercise and less likely to smoke, which could extend lifespan. “Research on the reason why optimism matters so much remains to be done, but the link between optimism and health is becoming more evident,” noted senior author Fran Grodstein, ScD, professor of epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and professor of medicine at the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
According to Lee Kum Kee, “Our study contributes to scientific knowledge on health assets that may protect against mortality risk and promote resilient aging. We hope that our findings will inspire further research on interventions to enhance positive health assets that may improve the public’s health with aging”.
You might also be interested in reading the following articles on other factors influencing longevity:
Links:
Americans With Higher Net Worth at Midlife Tend to Live Longer
July 23, 2021 — In a wealth and longevity study to incorporate siblings and twin pair data, researchers analyzed the midlife net worth of adults (mean age 46.7 years) and their mortality rates 24 years later. They discovered those with greater wealth at midlife tended to live longer.
Feeling Younger Buffers Older Adults from Stress, Protects Against Health Decline
May 6, 2021 — People who feel younger have a greater sense of well-being, better cognitive functioning, less inflammation, lower risk of hospitalization and even live longer than their older-feeling peers. A study suggests one potential reason for the link between subjective age and health: Feeling younger could help buffer middle-aged and older adults against the damaging effects of stress.
What Helps People Live Well With Dementia
Dec. 21, 2018 — Psychological aspects, such as optimism, self-esteem, loneliness and depression were closely linked to ability to optimize quality of life and wellbeing in both people with dementia and carers. Experience in other areas of life influences psychological well-being and perceptions of living well. Physical health and fitness was important for both groups. For both carers and people with dementia social activity and interaction also ranked highly.
175 Years On, Study Finds Where You Live Still Determines Your Life Expectancy
Dec. 13, 2017 — Researchers revisited a study carried out 175 years ago which compared life expectancy in different areas of the UK. They found there is still a link between where you live, your social class and the age you live to and that people living in Liverpool still have lower life expectancy than those living in the rural area of Rutland.
##########
We hope you have enjoyed this writeup on “New Evidence That Optimists Live Longer”.
Please share with us, thru Comments, your stories of any optimists in your life and your thoughts about this topic.
##########
Other brain games can be found under the heading “See Our Blogs”, by clicking any of the published blogs on the pages for the following categories:
“Brain Games For Children”
“Brain Games For Adults”
“Brain Games For Seniors”
“Advanced Brain Training”
“Optimal Brain Health”
