11/05/2025
>> DID YOU KNOW? People with the most optimistic outlook are up to 70 percent more likely to live to age 85 or beyond, regardless of their health habits.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 71,000 adults in two long-term studies (here's a link to the study: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1900712116), tracking participants for up to 30 years. They wanted to know if believing that good things are likely to happen was linked to “exceptional longevity.” Even after controlling for lifestyle factors like smoking, exercise, and diet, as well as chronic diseases and depression, the most optimistic individuals had dramatically higher odds of reaching 85 or older.
The effect held for both men and women and across different levels of health and stress. In other words, optimism didn’t just overlap with healthy behavior; it added something extra.
The researchers believe that positive expectations help regulate stress hormones, improve immune function, and encourage healthier coping strategies. Over decades, these slight differences in how people handle life’s challenges can compound into years of additional life.
If you want to strengthen your “longevity mindset,” start small. And here’s one method you can try tonight (and every night) that might help:
Before you go to bed, write down three good things that happened. When setbacks occur, write down why they are temporary and specific rather than permanent and personal.
You don’t need to ignore problems to live longer. You just need to believe you can overcome them, while also seeing the good in your life.
