A simple shift in mindset could add 10 to 15% more years to your life. A groundbreaking study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (click to open full study text) reveals that optimism might be just that powerful. Led by researchers from Boston University and Harvard, this study found that a positive outlook is closely linked to living 14.9% longer for women and 10.9% longer for men. But there’s more—this research also underscores the critical role of deep sleep and recovery in achieving that longevity.
Here's what the study discovered:
Optimism and Life Span
· The study tracked 69,744 women and 1,429 men over periods of up to 30 years.
· Women in the highest quartile of optimism lived, on average, 14.9% longer than those in the lowest quartile.
· Men in the highest quintile of optimism experienced a 10.9% increase in life span compared to the least optimistic men.
· These results held true even after adjusting for factors such as socioeconomic status, baseline health conditions, and health behaviors like diet and exercise.
Greater Odds of Exceptional Longevity:
· The study defined “exceptional longevity” as living to age 85 or beyond.
· Optimistic women were 1.5 times more likely to reach this milestone, while optimistic men were 1.7 times more likely to live to 85 or beyond.
Deep Sleep and Recovery:
· Optimism and better sleep quality are intertwined and contribute to each other. Your mind has a greater capacity for stress management when it's well-recovered during deep sleep, and in turn, you experience better sleep quality when your mind is calm. The health of this cycle is crucial for overall well-being and longevity.
· Deep sleep is when your body does the most repair and recovery, which is essential for reducing stress, bolstering the immune system, and maintaining cognitive function as you age.
· For those struggling with chronic insomnia or waking up feeling unrefreshed, fostering optimism could be a natural way to improve sleep quality and support long-term health.
· Giving Nerve Aid (click here for more details), an herbal formula crafted by Dr. Marco Sikaffy, a chance is a proven way to forget the 'I can't sleep' state, drift into sleep faster, enjoy deep slumber, and wake up refreshedᅳcrucial for maintaining a positive state of mind that is so important for longevity.
Optimism should be trained
· The study emphasizes that optimism isn't a personality trait you're born with, but it can be trained and cultivated, developing it as an ability.
Training optimism is not an easy task, but the study shows that it's absolutely possible, like any other training. The foundation for this lies in good mental and physical health, which can be achieved through a healthy lifestyle, effective stress management, and better sleep and recovery.
Consistent Findings Across Populations
· The benefits of optimism were observed across both large groups of women and smaller groups of men, underscoring the universal importance of a positive outlook.
· Even when accounting for social factors like marriage and close friendships, optimism's link to a longer life and better sleep remained strong.
We see more and more studies like this one that provide powerful evidence showing that your state of mind is a crucial factor in promoting longevity and overall health. By gaining more control over your mental state, you're not just increasing your chances of living longerᅳyou're also improving the quality of your daily life, experiencing more moments of joy, smiles, and happiness.
