[2022-06-27] Optimism and longevity
A friend recently shared an interesting article: Do optimists really live longer? Here’s what the research says. Author Fuschia Sirois, Professor in Social and Health Psychology at Durham University in the UK, argues that being optimistic could be good for your health.
A number of studies have shown that optimists enjoy higher levels of wellbeing, better sleep, lower stress and even better cardiovascular health and immune function. And now, a recent study has shown that being an optimist is linked to longer life.
That study followed 160,000 women for 26 years and found that those who had the highest levels of optimism were more likely to live longer. Another study that looked at both women and men found that people with the highest levels of optimism lived 11% to 15% longer than those who had the lowest levels of optimism.
Why would that be, you may ask. One reason—according to research—is that optimistic people tend to eat a healthy diet, stay physically active and are less likely to smoke cigarettes. This decreases their risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Another possible reason optimists might live longer is the way they manage stress.
When faced with a stressful situation, optimists tend to deal with it head-on. They use adaptive coping strategies that help them resolve the source of the stress, or view the situation in a less stressful way. For example, optimists will problem-solve and plan ways to deal with the stressor, call on others for support, or try to find a "silver lining" in the stressful situation.
But what if you're not naturally an optimistic person? Research to the rescue, once again.
Research shows optimism can change over time, and can be cultivated by engaging in simple exercises. For example, visualising and then writing about your "best possible self" (a future version of yourself who has accomplished your goals) is a technique that studies have found can significantly increase optimism, at least temporarily. But for best results, the goals need to be both positive and reasonable, rather than just wishful thinking. Similarly, simply thinking about positive future events can also be effective for boosting optimism.
It would appear that optimism—expecting the most favourable outcomes—isn't sufficient. Realism is required as well.
Optimism is reinforced when we experience the positive outcomes that we expect, and can decrease when these outcomes aren’t as we want them to be.
This brought to mind a quote by William Arthur Ward, which a friend recently sent to me: "The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."
All of this was music to my ears. I'm naturally optimistic, which might account for my efforts to eat well, remain active and avoid things that are unhealthy for me. I'm also realistic, understanding that to achieve the positive vision of the future I imagine, I need to do the work to reach that vision. I've adjusted my sails many times in the past two years while remaining positive and seeing the silver lining in my circumstances.
I also feel well equipped to manage stress. I change what I can change (for example, undergoing treatment to tackle cancer or reduce my risk of further disease). And I accept what I can't change (for example, a cancer diagnosis, a pathogenic gene mutation, waiting lists).
Being optimistic doesn't mean dodging disease and living forever. It does mean choosing a healthier lifestyle, which can improve one's quality of life and perhaps the length of that life too.
