A smile a day keeps the doctor away. No, you’re not reading that wrong. A 2019 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, by Lewina Lee and colleagues, shows that optimistic people live as much as 15% longer than pessimistic people. Scientists studied over 70,000 people over a 30-year period to assess the effect of an optimistic mindset on longevity. Viewing the glass as “half-full” may be the key to a longer life.
Typically, research on longevity has focused on biological factors affiliated with survival, while this study solely focuses on the importance of nonbiological factors. Scientists classified optimism as the expectation that good things will happen in the future by controlling important decisions and outcomes. With a meticulous study set up, researchers had to control for other demographic information: diet, pre-existing health conditions, and psychosocial factors such as depression, anxiety, or anger. This ensured that the results would not be influenced by any outstanding variables.
In the fully adjusted models, controlling for demographics, depression, and other health conditions, highly optimistic women displayed an 8.7% increase in their lifespan. With the same controls for the men in the study, highly optimistic men saw a 9.8% increase in lifespan. The results varied based on the controls and adjustments in the model.
Optimism leads to a promotion in healthier behaviors, as optimistic people tend to avoid excessive smoking, drinking, and other detrimental behaviors. Additionally, people with an optimistic mindset may be better at handling acute stressors, by having a lesser reaction to or a faster recovery from stress. When optimistic people are faced with difficulties, they tend to be better at perceiving emotions through cognitive reframing, or shifting emotions into a more positive alternative. Optimistically minded individuals see the situation as a challenge to overcome, rather than a roadblock.
The results of this study may lead to a significant restructuring of the health care system. The overall health of patients may increase with higher optimism levels through cognitive-behavioral therapy practices. Further research is needed to determine if the benefits from an optimistic mindset would translate to other health benefits. If so, optimism may be the key for a longer, healthier life.
How many optimists does it take to change a lightbulb? None. They just find light in the darkness. If you laughed at that, you might just outlive us all.