Looking on the bright side does more than just improve the present!

According to a study on women by Harvard's Hayami Koga, published in 2022, having a positive state of mind may increase lifespan.

Over two decades, the researcher's team analyzed data on more than 159,000 mature women in America. The most optimistic had an 11 to 15 percent longer life expectancy and were 50 to 70 percent more likely to reach age 90 than the lesser optimistic groups.

Scientific research has long focused on risk factors related to early mortality, including how stress and psychological distress trigger a series of negative physiological changes. Here, the focus is on what's good for our health.

Those who cultivate a positive attitude and optimism often benefit from greater social support and use problem-solving and planning strategies to minimize risks to their health. This creates a better ability to regulate emotions and behaviours.

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