Common tips for how to live longer include eating foods high in antioxidants (such as blueberries), taking certain prescription drugs, refraining from smoking, and even drinking wine, but above all, be optimistic. An optimistic attitude is the single unifying factor of the world’s most vital, longest living people that we have been able to recognize.
Two questions on a survey posed to participants in a Dutch study on longevity, led by Erik Giltay, M.D., Ph.D, of Psychiatric Center GGZ Delfland, Delft, the Netherlands, were, 1. “Do you often feel like life is full of promise,” and 2. “Do you still have many goals to strive for?” They concluded that those who answered, "Yes" to these questions were more likely to live a longer and healthier life.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have found similar results. Dr. Hilary Tindle, assistant professor of medicine to the Division of Internal Medicine, found that optimists are less likely to die not only from heart disease, but also from cancer and diabetes. Dr. Tindle’s study follows almost 100,000 postmenopausal women and also found that optimistic women were significantly less likely to die earlier overall.
Optimism was described by Tindle’s team as “Those who expect good rather than bad things to happen.” Dr. Tindle told Reuters News, pessimistic women tended to agree with statements like, “I’ve often had to take orders from someone who didn’t know as much as I did” or “It’s safest to trust nobody.”
To many, optimism sounds too easy or too airy to be true. Cigarettes, wine, food, and exercise are more tangible to us.
But optimism works. And it is an attitude that can be developed and made natural over time. Optimism is free, it’s powerful, and you can use it to enhance your health and longevity starting right now.
AARP.org, the largest membership organization for people over the age of 50, reports on even more research: “A recent study of 500 adults ages 60 to 98 … found that optimism and effective coping styles were the most important factors in aging successfully—not health.”
Since research helps us see the fountain through the fog, perhaps real people in real places can inspire us to take hold of what these studies suggest.
Next week, we will meet centenarians from five distinct “Blue Zone” regions around the world and find out what their lifestyles and optimism suggest.
James and Kim are certified nutrition and lifestyle coaches who assist pregnant moms and new parents. They can be contacted at FitForBirth@gmail.com or through their Web sites GetFitForBirth.com and Your SuperBaby.com
