Optimistic Women Are Thought to Live Longer

A study has argued that optimistic women may have a longer life. If you think that good things will occur, then you may have a longer life compared to women who are rather pessimistic. Who would have thought that positive thinking could be so helpful? Eric Kim, the co-author of this study, has argued that the power of positive thinking is significant.

Kim is a researcher in the department of social, behavioral sciences at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. His research proves that optimism is linked to the reduced risk of dying from a stroke, cancer, an infection or a respiratory illness. Those who are optimistic, tend to have a particular behavior implying healthier beliefs.

Studies have proved that confident women have a qualitative sleep, eating healthier diets and also exercising a lot more compared to people who are rather looking at the empty side of the glass. The lead author had also suggested that this cheerful attitude may influence biological function.

Specialists have demonstrated that optimism is connected to healthier levels of lipids, decreased inflammation, and higher levels of antioxidants. Statistics have shown that the results of fifty different studies proved that cheerful people who face challenges usually use healthier methods to overcome the problem. They may accept that some things cannot be changed, always developing contingency plans and looking for the support of family or friends whenever they need it.

To develop this investigation, researchers have review the results of the study to which approximately 70,000 women participated. The study analyzed the levels of optimism and several factors which might have been categorizing as harmful for the results, such as physical activity, dieting, and high blood pressure. Scientists analyzed all these factors every two years starting with 2004 until 2012.

The authors of the study revealed that the risk of developing any of the diseases mentioned above was with about 30% more decreased in optimistic women compared to those females who were less optimistic. For example, the study shows that for cheerful women the risk of cancer death decreased by 16% and the risk of heart illness death dropped by 40%. What is more, the risk of dying due to an infection lowered to 52%.

Every woman’s level of optimism was determined based on the responses she provided to individual statements.

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