Optimism and Positive Thinking
Scientists from the Medical School Mental Health in Defte (Netherlands) during the study, conducted over several years, came to an official conclusion: optimism and positive thinking – the best medicine for the heart. It was found that of 545 people aged 64 – 84 years old, participated in the study, the biggest optimists by about 50 percent less risk of death from cardiovascular disease, than their peers-pessimists. In addition, they are much more likely to live 15 years longer.
In previous studies it has been hypothesized that optimism in general improves physical health and reduces the risk of death. It is fully confirmed. Positive thinking is more than just help patients who suffer from heart disease caused by narrowing of the arteries.
“Optimism is stable for a long time, but with age it tends to decrease,” – said study leader Erik Giltay. On a scale of zero to three, where the three – is the highest score of optimism, the average in the group studied in the survey dropped from 1.5 in 1985 to 1.3 in the 2000th. Also revealed that a higher degree of optimism associated with high levels of education, presence of family and close friends, health and physical activity.
As a guideline, the scientists suggested that all older people to engage autosuggestion on any of the known techniques for enhancing optimism and, consequently, improve their health.