Perhaps optimists live longer than pessimists

Overly optimistic outlook for the future was often associated with the risk of disability or death over the next decade - a conclusion reached by researchers from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany. But pessimism about the future, on the contrary, makes people more care of themselves, less risk, pay more attention to a healthy way of life and safety.

For the study we used the results of annual medical examinations during the period from 1993 to 2003, the year of tens of thousands of people in Germany aged between 18 and 96 years old. These results include information about the health of the participants, as well as their assessment of how they are satisfied with their lives now and the fact that, according to them, be with them five years later. Points were put on a scale of zero to ten.

It turned out that in most cases, good health and income were more likely to relate to the pessimistic forecasts, while the optimists, on the other hand, had a low income and poor health.

It should be noted that the results of this study may be applicable only to the Germans. For example, last year a survey was conducted among 1000 elderly Americans and found that a cheerful character almost always means good physical health. And another survey of centenarians around the world has shown that personality traits such as optimism and serenity, as well as the habit of laughing and enjoying his life's work, often contribute to longevity.

via factroom.ru