Spa Executive | Issue 11 | October 2019

WELLNESS
Study finds
optimism
may be the
secret to
longevity
New research has found that more optimistic
people are more likely to live longer and to live
past the age of 85.
According to a media release, “optimism” refers
to “a general expectation that good things will
happen, or believing that the future will be
favorable because we can control important
outcomes.”
Past research has identified risk factors that
increase the likelihood of disease and
premature death, but less is known about
psychosocial factors that can promote or
impede healthy aging.
The study — by researchers at Boston
University School of Medicine (BUSM), National
Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare
System, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of
Public Health — included 71,173 subjects:
69,744 women and 1,429 men. These
completed surveys to assess their optimism
levels, as well as their overall health and lifestyle
habits such as diet, smoking and alcohol
consumption. Men were followed for 30 years,
while the women were followed for only 10
years.
The researchers found that the most optimistic
men and women demonstrated an average 11 –
15 percent longer lifespan, and had 50 – 70
percent greater odds of reaching the age of 85
compared to the least optimistic groups. This
held after controlling for factors like age,
education, chronic disease, depression, and
health behaviors, including diet and exercise.
“While research has identified many risk factors
for diseases and premature death, we know
relatively less about positive psychosocial
factors that can promote healthy aging,” said
corresponding author Lewina Lee, PhD, in a
statement. “This study has strong public health
relevance because it suggests that optimism is
one such psychosocial asset that has the
potential to extend the human lifespan.
Interestingly, optimism may be modifiable using
relatively simple techniques or therapies.”
The researchers don’t know exactly how or why
optimism correlates with comparative longevity.
“Other research suggests that more optimistic
people may be able to regulate emotions and
behavior as well as bounce back from stressors
and difficulties more effectively,” said senior
author Laura Kubzansky, PhD. The researchers
suggest that optimistic people may have
healthier habits, such as being more likely to
engage in more exercise and less likely to
smoke.
“Research on the reason why optimism matters
so much remains to be done, but the link
between optimism and health is becoming
more evident,” said senior author Fran
Grodstein, ScD. “Our study contributes to
scientific knowledge on health assets that may
protect against mortality risk and promote
resilient aging. We hope that our findings will
inspire further research on interventions to
enhance positive health assets that may
improve the public’s health with aging.”
03 | Spa Executive News