How Optimism Improves Your Health

Would it surprise you to learn that being optimistic is associated with better health and a lower chance of disease? Given the mind-body connection, it makes sense that cultivating a positive mental state promotes optimal well-being.

A review of 15 studies with over 200,000 participants found a 35% lower chance of getting heart disease and a 14% lower chance of early death in optimistic people. According to the Mayo Clinic, the health benefits of positive thinking may include:

• Increased life span
• Lower rates of depression
• Lower levels of distress and pain
• Greater resistance to illnesses
• Better psychological and physical well-being
• Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease and stroke
• Reduced risk of death from cancer
• Reduced risk of death from respiratory conditions
• Reduced risk of death from infections
• Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress

A positive outlook was found to enable individuals to cope better when the heat is on, reducing the harmful effects of stress on the body. Optimistic people also tend to live healthier lifestyles, following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and refraining from tobacco and alcohol in excess.

As one study found, optimism may significantly influence mental and physical well-being by the promotion of a healthy lifestyle as well as by adaptive behaviors and cognitive responses, associated with greater flexibility, problem-solving capacity and a more efficient elaboration of negative information.

Additionally, sunny-thinking folks tend to recover faster after surgery, with fewer complications, which may be due to more positive coping skills when dealing with stress and setbacks.