Words Laura Potter.Photograph Getty
THE POWER OF OPTIMISM
If you’re the type who bounces out of bed each day, radiating positive vibes, you’ll love the latest discovery that looking on the bright side of life could help you live longer.Harvard researchers monitored the emotional and physical health of 70,000 women over eight years and found that those who were optimistic about life were far healthier.The most optimistic had a 16 per cent lower risk of dying from cancer, 38 per cent lower risk from heart disease, 39 per cent lower risk from stroke, 38 per cent lower risk from respiratory disease, and 52 per cent lower risk of early death from infection, compared with the least optimistic women.The co-authors believe their research demonstrates that higher optimism directly impacts our biological systems, possibly boosting immunity and lowering inflammation.That’s plenty to feel glass half full about!