Adherence
Higher levels of dispositional optimism are associated with a longer life span and greater odds of achieving exceptional longevity (survival to age 85+), independent of demographics, health conditions, and health behaviors.
Cultivating a realistic positive outlook on the future is associated with living significantly longer. This is not about ignoring reality, but about maintaining confidence in your ability to handle challenges. This trait is linked to healthier behaviors like better diet and exercise, which drive the longevity benefit. Since optimism can be learned, engaging in practices that build resilience and positive goal-setting may support a longer life.
In both sexes, we found a dose-dependent association of higher optimism levels at baseline with increased longevity... women in the highest versus lowest optimism quartile had 14.9% (95% confidence interval, 11.9 to 18.0) longer life span... Participants with highest versus lowest optimism levels had 1.5 (women) and 1.7 (men) greater odds of surviving to age 85; these relationships were maintained after adjusting for health behaviors.
Why this rating
Large longitudinal cohorts (NHS, NAS) with long follow-up, though observational design limits causal inference.
Source
Optimism is associated with exceptional longevity in 2 epidemiologic cohorts of men and women
Lewina O. Lee et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2019
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