Optimism’s Extraordinary Contribution to Longevity

Optimism is a psychological state generally defined by expecting good things or believing the future will be positive. On 26 August 2019, PNAS published research showing that more optimistic individuals tend to live longer and are more likely to pass age 85.

Most research to date on exceptional longevity has focused on biological and physical factors. Recent work, however, shows nonbiological factors also matter. Some studies of optimism and longevity observed fewer chronic diseases and premature deaths among optimistic people.

The new study assessed greater optimism’s role in reaching "exceptional longevity," defined specifically as age 85 or older.

Analyses used two cohorts including 69 thousand women and 1.429 men. Women had been followed since 1976; optimism and mortality were assessed over 10 years (2004-2014). Men had been followed since 1961, with optimism and mortality assessed over 30 years (1986-2016).

Researchers found:

Women and men with the highest initial optimism lived an average of 11-15% longer than those with the lowest.

In addition, those with the highest optimism were 50-70% more likely to reach 85 or older in the findings.

Analyses accounted for age, educational attainment, chronic diseases, depression, physical activity, diet, alcohol, smoking and doctor visits.

Several reasons may explain the contribution. More optimistic people tend toward healthy habits such as not smoking and greater activity, while recovering mood and relieving stress faster; these are plausible contributing factors.

Optimism may therefore be described as a psychological resource contributing to health and longevity. The study also encourages research on other positive attitudes and behaviors.

Let us close with a beautiful line by the esteemed poet, novelist, historian, journalist and screenwriter Atilla İlhan, from his poem "Aranıyor":

"smile, let the dust of our loneliness disappear".