Why do Happy and Optimistic People Live Longer?

Bobby McFerrin sang the ever-popular song "Don't worry, Be Happy". Have you ever wondered where he got the idea from, or what made this song so popular? The song (having turned into a mantra now!) makes people feel good about life. Joie de Vivre (French for the joy of living/life), happiness, and optimism are all words associated with optimistic people.

So, we can say that life is the gift for people who are happy and optimistic. Or rather, a long life is the gift for them. Why is this? Why do happy and optimistic people live longer? The reasons are several, but the result is the same: people who are happy, live longer! A total seven and a half years longer than those who are depressed and have a pessimistic outlook!

Notice here that I am not talking about people who live life with rose-colored glasses or those who are extremely optimistic and live life on the edge. Here we are discussing those people who look on the brighter side of life and do not get depressed easily. These are the people who live longer and better.

A happy heart, is a healthy heart!

Studies across the world have proved that people who are happy and have a positive outlook of life, live healthier and longer lives. Now let's figure out why. Those who are happy and optimistic have lesser cardio logical problems; these also refer to coronary diseases and angina. People who are more optimistic also heal faster and have a faster recovery rate than those who are bleak and pessimistic about their health. The rate of rehospitalization after heart surgery also drops with the more optimistic lot.

Strike out strokes with optimism

According to research and studies conducted, those who are optimistic are less likely to suffer from strokes. Depression can lead to strokes, which can be fatal. Those who are less depressed, and less likely to have a stroke as compared to those suffering from clinical depression. Remember a stroke can lead to partial or full disability when not fatal. So avoid the occurrence of a stroke with a more optimistic outlook to life.

The 'age'-old mantra: Optimism?

What is your outlook on aging? Don't think this question is important? Think again! Research proves that those who are happy and optimistic about aging, live longer, seven and a half years longer. So instead of working so hard on your blood pressure and cholesterol levels (and I am not saying don't) why not just think happy and live longer!

And the result is...

• Optimists have fewer health complications as compared to pessimists
  
• Those who are happy experience less pain.
  
• Happy people are more energetic.
  
• Being happy also leads to being peaceful.
  
• Optimism leads to lesser problems at work and lesser amounts of stress.

So let's just say...if you want to live longer, you need to be happy and optimistic about it.