Live Longer With Optimism

Having an optimistic attitute may do more than just improve your daily outlook on life-studies have found that optimists also benefits from a health standpoint. They have found that optimistic people are better achievers, deal better with stress, and may even lead a longer and healthier life.

In a new study undertaken by the University of Pittsburgh, over 100,000 women aged 50 and over were studied. The researchers evaluated questionnaires these women completed which identified their individual personality traits. They also tracked the women’s rates of death and chronic health conditions for an average of eight years. Amazingly, they found a strong correlation between optimism and the rate for cancer heart disease and early death. Those considered to be optimistic were 14% less likely to die from any cause and 30% less likely to die from heart disease than more negative women were. Also, women who were weary to trust others were 16% more likely to die from any cause and 23% more likely to die from cancer. The optimist group was also shown to have lower blood pressure, lower rates for diabetes, and less likely to smoke cigarettes which is a major contributor to an early death.

Even if you aren&undefined;t a natural optimist, it can be learned. Try to turn your negative thoughts into positive ones the moment you think them, and get in the habit of breaking your negative cycle. Avoiding negative individuals and negative environments can also help you become a more optimistic person.