DOES HAVING AN OPTIMISTIC PERSONALITY LEAD TO A LONGER LIFE?

It turns out that it does have an impact on one's longevity. According to a newer study as reported from the journal Aging, those that do laugh the most may indeed live the longest! Researchers have found that people who possess certain personality traits, based on their genetics, may live longer than others without them. Those identified traits are as follows:

1.    An optimistic nature

2.    An ability to laugh a lot

3.    An easygoing disposition

One research study focused on analyzing over 200 people with an average age of 97.6. What they discovered from the participants was they had personality qualities that clearly indicted they possessed a positive attitude towards their lives.  The researchers had a premise that perhaps the study subjects had survived longer because they were mean and ornery. The common perception of most seniors is that they have a diminished capacity to enjoy their current existence. They can be considered to be both difficult and cantankerous to deal with. However, the research proved that the contrary was evident. The findings indicated that the majority of the individuals were much more fully engaged in their lives, by being more outgoing, more optimistic and easygoing. Instead of whining, complaining and viewing life as hostile or negative they had a positive outlook that served them well. They tended to share their emotions with others more freely rather than keeping them "bottled up" inside. They had established a large social network and viewed laughter and fun as an important part of their lives.

Furthermore, the researchers concluded that the study participants scored in two distinct aspects; the first measure was that they scored lower on tests for neurotic personality disorders and the second measure was that they scored higher on tests for conscientiousness. Thus, this aging population scored better on these two indicators as compared to the U.S. population. In another study, it found that those who are happy have a 35% lower risk of dying over a five-year period than unhappy people.

So what does that mean for you?

It appears that a link really may exist between living longer and one's personal contentment. A prescription for one's happiness is perhaps the best medicine you can give to your health and the quality of your life.

Your Attitude + Your Choices = Your Life