Be Optimistic and Live Longer

Being optimistic is about being hopeful and having confidence in the successful outcome of any endeavor. When you submit a manuscript or grant, surely you are filled with a sense of relief, but where does optimism weigh into the equation?

Perhaps this is the first of many first author or senior author papers. Perhaps you need this to apply for a promotion. Perhaps this will bring the funding you need to continue not only doing what you love, but also potentially contribute to the development of a novel therapeutic.

Regardless of the goal or outcome, a new study suggests that being optimistic will help you live longer. Lewina Lee and colleagues analyzed survey data from two long-term, longitudinal cohorts - the Nurse's Health Study (n=69,744 women) and the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study (n=1,429 men) with follow up periods of 10 and 30 years, respectively. After adjusting for confounders and variables, the results revealed that those with the highest levels of optimism had an 11-15% longer life span as well as a greater probability of living to the age of 85 or beyond. Therefore, to promote longevity, it may be prudent to add a healthy dose of optimism to your daily routine. 

Whether your glass is typically half-full or half-empty, also consider previous research that suggests optimism can be modified or learned. That said, in order to live a longer, healthier life, be sure to add "Be optimistic" to the checklist of required manuscript or grant components!

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” -Winston Churchill