To be an optimistic person can increase their longevity, according to a study published in the journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) in May. Those who are positive achieve a longevity older, reaching the age of 85 years or more, regardless of socioeconomic status, health conditions, social integration or life habits (diet, smoking and alcohol consumption). Check out more information!
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Conducting the study
The researchers analyzed data from two studies that evaluated women and men over a period of 10 or 30 years. From 2004 to 2014, women with an average age of 70 rated their optimism using questionnaires. For men with a mean age of 62 years, optimistic assessments were performed from 1986 to 2016.
Thus, the results showed that the most optimistic group of women lived almost 15% longer, while men lived 11% longer in the most optimistic scenario. Overall, participants with the highest and lowest levels of optimism had odds of 1.5 for women and 1.7 for men most likely to live to age 85 or older.
Suspicion of the relationship between optimism and longevity
Research shows that it is possible to achieve healthy and resilient aging by cultivating psychosocial assets such as optimism, proving to be an encouraging result. Still, the study's lead author said the relationship between optimism and longevity is unclear, but he believes these people are better at dealing with stress.
Outstanding Characteristics of People Who Are Optimists
- Where there are failures, there is learning.
Those who are optimists understand the existence of mistakes, ambiguities, challenges that have not been met and goals that have not yet been achieved. However, none of these situations indicate a sign of failure for these people. Thus, it is their ability to see the bright side of things and strive to improve them that makes them optimistic.
- motivate themselves
Motivation is to “move forward” despite obstacles. Therefore, the focus is on moving forward and keeping your eyes fixed on a goal or objective you want. Furthermore, one of the characteristics of optimists is that they have in mind that the strength to stay in the fight only depends on them.
- grow themselves
Another important point is that no one can be truly optimistic until they work on self-knowledge. Therefore, one must learn more, forgive their mistakes and give the value that their achievements deserve.