Optimists live longer than pessimists do! That's the conclusion of a 30-year study involving 447 people that was conducted by scientists at the Mayo Clinic. They found that those with a more than positive outlook had around a 50 percent lower risk of early death than negative thinkers and wrote that "mind and body are linked and attitude has an impact on the final outcome, death." This is a startling statistic! Optimists also had fewer physical and emotional health problems; had less pain and increased energy; and were generally more peaceful, happy, and calm than pessimists.
One of the reasons why a positive attitude is so important is because it boosts our immune systems and therefore our ability to fight illness. As we go through our lives, our attitudes affect how we react to viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. A positive, optimistic perspective is ultimately best for our overall health and longevity. We also deal with situations differently depending upon our attitude to them. A positive approach helps us cope with challenges and even see them as opportunities, which ultimately benefits our health.
Dr David R. Hamilton
