Optimism: The Key to Living 15% Longer

I was out for a walk with my Spaniel this morning, listening to a podcast featuring Peter Diamandis, and something he said stopped me in my tracks: "People who are optimistic live 15% longer."

Wow! When I got back to my desk ... I dug deeper into this fascinating claim!

The Science Behind Optimism and Longevity
So, here's the scoop: A groundbreaking study from 2019, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, really backs up this idea. The research team, including folks from Boston University School of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, looked at data from over 70,000 people over several decades.

What they found is pretty amazing:
1. People with higher levels of optimism lived 11-15% longer on average.
2. The most optimistic folks had 50-70% better odds of making it to 85 compared to the least optimistic group.

More Than Just Extra Years
But here's the really exciting part – optimism doesn't just add years to your life, it adds life to your years! The researchers controlled for all sorts of factors like demographics, health conditions, and behaviors. This suggests that optimism itself has a unique and powerful impact on how long we live.

Boosting Your Optimism
As someone who's all about helping people build resilience, I find these results incredibly motivating. They really drive home how important a positive mindset is, not just for feeling good now, but for our long-term health and longevity.
Want to boost your own optimism? Here are a few strategies that I love:

1. Practice gratitude daily
2. Reframe negative situations - where applicable. This is not 'toxic positivity'.
3. Set and pursue meaningful goals
4. Surround yourself with positive people
5. Get moving: regular physical activity
6. Find ways to DECLUTCH OFTEN ... I cherish playing games with my grandkids (as you can see by my blog pic)

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The Bigger Picture
This research fits perfectly with my concept of #BounceForward that I often talk about in my keynotes. It's not just about getting through tough times – it's about using challenges as springboards for growth and positive change.

The link between optimism and longevity is a powerful reminder that our mental attitude can have a huge impact on our physical health. As we navigate this crazy, complex world, cultivating optimism could be one of our most powerful tools for not just living longer, but living better.

So, let's embrace optimism! It's not just a feel-good philosophy – it's a scientifically-backed strategy for boosting our health, resilience, and longevity. I mean, who wouldn't want to add an extra 15% to their lifespan?

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