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How Being Optimistic Could Help You Live Longer

How Being Optimistic Could Help You Live Longer
Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Yellow Dog Productions via Getty Images
Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Women who have an optimistic outlook on life may live longer than those who do not.

In a study of more than 70,000 women, optimists were found to have a reduced risk of five deadly diseases.

Those with a sunny disposition were less likely to suffer from heart disease, cancer, lung conditions, infection and Type 2 diabetes than others.

While the researchers said there may be some link between optimism and healthy lifestyle choices - such as eating healthily and doing exercise - they said having a positive attitude may improve life chances in itself.

Yellow Dog Productions via Getty Images

The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, analysed data from a survey of more than 70,000 women with an average age of 70.

The women were asked to rate how optimistic they felt, on a scale of 0-24.

The participants were then monitored over the next eight years and researchers recorded any deaths that were related to disease.

Over the course of the study, there were a total of 4,566 deaths.

The most optimistic women were found to have a 30% lower risk of death from the five causes than the least optimistic women.

The most optimistic women were 38% likely to die from heart disease and 39% less likely to die from stroke than women at the other end of the scale.

What’s more, they were also 52% less likely to die from an infection, 38% less likely to die from lung disease and 16% less likely to die from cancer than their pessimistic counterparts.

The researchers suggested optimism may not only improve our mental health, but may have a biological impact on our physical health.

The good news is we’re a nation of optimists.

Contrary to our reputation for moaning, previous research from University College London found that four in five Brits tend to look on the bright side of life.

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