ScienceDaily: High optimism linked with longer life and living past 90
"Higher levels of optimism were associated with longer lifespan and living beyond age 90 in women across racial and ethnic groups in a study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
"Although optimism itself may be affected by social structural factors, such as race and ethnicity, our research suggests that the benefits of optimism may hold across diverse groups," said Hayami Koga, a PhD candidate in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Harvard Chan School and lead author of the study. "A lot of previous work has focused on deficits or risk factors that increase the risks for diseases and premature death. Our findings suggest that there's value to focusing on positive psychological factors, like optimism, as possible new ways of promoting longevity and healthy aging across diverse groups."
For this study, the researchers analyzed data and survey responses from 159,255 participants in the Women's Health Initiative, which included postmenopausal women in the U.S. The women enrolled at ages 50-79 from 1993 to 1998 and were followed for up to 26 years.
Of the participants, the 25% who were the most optimistic were likely to have a 5.4% longer lifespan and a 10% greater likelihood of living beyond 90 years than the 25% who were the least optimistic. The researchers also found no interaction between optimism and any categories of race and ethnicity, and these trends held true after taking into account demographics, chronic conditions, and depression. Lifestyle factors, such as regular exercise and healthy eating, accounted for less than a quarter of the optimism-lifespan association, indicating that other factors may be at play.
"We tend to focus on the negative risk factors that affect our health," said Koga. "It is also important to think about the positive resources such as optimism that may be beneficial to our health, especially if we see that these benefits are seen across racial and ethnic groups."
Read the full article here!
Reflection:
Would you describe yourself as an optimistic person?
#Optimism #Research #HealthyLiving
@comfortableNight4463
I would not describe myself as a particularly optimistic person, However, I am trying to be grateful for the things I have in my life and to appreciate simple things more.
@globalBraid3744 Same. I used to be very pessimistic and it was daunting at times. I'm trying to adopt a more positive outlook on life and trying to incorporate more gratitude.
@comfortableNight4463
Do you have any tips about what are you doing to be more positive and grateful?
@globalBraid3744 Great question! I usually don't start my day unless I tell myself 3 things I'm grateful for on this day. I do this every morning. Makes the rest of my day better! Also if something good happens to me, I always take some time to celebrate myself even if it's a very minute thing.
@comfortableNight4463
Starting your day by saying things you are grateful for is a great habit! Also, to take a while to acknowledge other good things that happen as your day goes by. Thank you for sharing!
@globalBraid3744 Exactly! You're welcome!
@comfortableNight4463
Definitely need to practice my healthy doses of optimism after reading this! I think I'm way to critical and pessimistic on myself.
@sunnyWriting4806 Same. This article was eye-opening.
@sunnyWriting4806
I can relate! I should really stop personalizing things and start to pay more attention to my achievements and what goes well.
@globalBraid3744 Exactly! It can be hard at times but it's something we should actively work on.
@comfortableNight4463 I like to think that I am an optimistic person! I feel as though I've had to train my brain to find the best in every situation and to remember that everything happens for a reason! I truly believe that we are meant to be where we are and that God/the universe has a plan for all of us!
@fruityPond7887
It is great to hear you are optimistic!! I think a person needs to train themselves with so many challenges that are coming our way. I also believe that things happen to us for a reason but sometimes it can take time to accept things that come our way.
@globalBraid3744 I agree! Challenges in life are inevitable, but it's how we react to them that matters! We can either sulk in the face of them or take them and allow them to make us stronger and better equipped to handle the next challenge! It definitely is a lesson that only an individual can learn with time.
@fruityPond7887
Well said, Pond!
@fruityPond7887 This is great! Well-said!
@comfortableNight4463 @globalBraid3744 Thank you both so much!! 😊
@fruityPond7887 You're welcome!😊
@comfortableNight4463
I would say I'm trying to be an optimistic person but sometimes it's really hard. I would say I try to apply an optimistic mindset to be able to look at difficult things that happen in life as not "the end of the world" but rather as a learning experience. It's a work in progress! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing article! Keep up the great work!
@professionalVision2624 I agree, it's quite hard to always stay optimistic when things around us are going totally wrong. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. There is always room for learning. That is a great way to look at things!
@comfortableNight4463
I can relate 100%, it can be really hard to stay positive and optimistic when we are going through a tough time but that’s when we need it the most. To be able to see the “light in the tunnel”. And as you say, there is always room for learning if one is open to it and is willing to change their mindset!
