Positivity and Longevity

It’s well-documented that factors such as exercise, diet, not smoking, etc. can increase longevity. But, there is also research supporting that nonbiomedical factors, like optimism can also increase life span. 

In this study, women in the highest versus lowest optimism quartile had 14.9% longer life span. Findings were similar in men.

Optimism gave everyone higher odds of achieving exceptional longevity, which is defined as living past age 85.

The good news is that optimism can be trained. A few ways include: 

• Keeping a gratitude journal 
• Creating a positive mantra 
• Evaluating challenging situations to find the positives in them
• Spending time with optimistic people 
• Identifying and challenging your negative thoughts (awareness!) 
• Practicing mindfulness 
• Visualization of a positive future 
• Developing a growth mindset 

The glass is half full!