I am a firm believer that a positive attitude is a good trait to carry with you and that a positive mindset will take you far. You are more receptive to ideas, you get along better with others and you just have a more optimistic outlook on things in general.
I read an article once about someone who lived to an incredibly old age and they believe that the reason that they had lived as long as they did was because of their great outlook on life. I would like to believe that I could be that person one day.
Positive thinking can impact your life in a variety of ways. First, positive thinking helps manage stress and can improve your health.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are quite a few health benefits that positive thinking may provide. Some of these benefits include increased life span, lower rates of depression and distress and greater resistance to the common cold.
That article states that it is unclear why people who are positive thinkers reap these benefits. It is thought that positive and optimistic people tend to live healthier lifestyles (ex. physical activity, healthier diets and not engaging in excess drinking or smoking).
In another article, Dr. Terry Grossman states, “Negative emotions are a natural part of normal living but, if prolonged, they can lead to increased risk of many disease processes and can even shorten your life.”
Another doctor, Dr. Howard S. Friedman, a psychologist who has studied personality traits that correlate with longevity said, “It is definitely the case that certain people who are psychologically healthier live longer, but the explanations are usually complicated.”
I don’t necessarily believe that people who smile daily will live longer, but I do think that these studies raise good points about happier people adopting healthier life choices which then results in them living longer.
Work Cited:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950
http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/grossman-a-healthy-longevity/positive-thinking-can-increase-your-longevity/
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/19/science/power-of-positive-thinking-extends-it-seems-to-aging.html?pagewanted=all
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-heart/201309/optimism-may-increase-longevity-0
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-r-hamilton-phd/positive-people-live-long_b_774648.html
I was very shocked when you mentioned all of the benefits of positivity. There were a few that definitely surprised me, I think its pretty interesting how staying positive can decrease your chance of catching the common cold, while also increasing your life span! Such drastic results from something so simple. In my own research, an article from Mayo Clinic confirmed all of the benefits you listed while adding that it can help reduce the risk of death from heart disease and can help you cope with stress more effectively.
I believe that a little positivity can turn any situation around, and that positivity is contagious. If one person is negative, their negativity may radiate and cause negativity among other, but the same goes for positive people. Positivity will catch on, even if just one person portrays this emotion. In a recent studyit was found that “emotional contagion” was found on Twitter and the more positive vibes sent out, the more likely followers were to pay that act forward. A little positivity in life can go a long way.
I am a firm believer than positivity can extend your lifespan. Like you mentioned I think that positivity gives you a reason to live and continue taking care of yourself. Why would someone who is negative and hates life take the time to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Positive people are more likely to exercise and socialize with other people. Although being positive all the time is impossible controlling your negativity seems important as to not let your depression take over. Something I want to research is why people become negative as they grow older. It’s easy to tell people that being happy leads to a longer life but that doesn’t mean they can be happy on command. Do elderly people produce less endorphins as they get older or is it because they get tired easier. It’s just my opinion that giving people advise is useless when it doesn’t solve the problem. If elderly people are dying because they aren’t positive, we shouldn’t stop at proving whether positivity extends longevity but rather work to find ways to improve the lives of the elderly. Overall, great work and I hope to read more of your work in this topic.
A simple shift in perspective can be a flip in your life. With a positive outlook comes a leaning towards healthier lifestyle choices. “Research has found a link between an upbeat mental state and improved health, including lower blood pressure, reduced risk for heart disease, healthier weight, better blood sugar levels, and longer life.”https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/aug2015/feature1 Thus, it is essential to maintain a sense of optimism as appropriated to live life to the fullest and healthiest.
This blog perfectly relates to another I just read about The Science of Happiness which discussed the ability of thoughts and actions making the thinker/actor happier and more positive. The positivity and longevity direction here even takes it another step further providing an interesting commentary and opening a discussion about the human capability to feel and live in a scientific and medical way.