Positive thinkers are more to live longer than negative thinkers. This is to a combination of studies conducted by the Boston University School of Medicine into the of people in the USA. Researchers looked at on the health of 70,000 female and 1,500 male military veterans. They discovered that people who were optimists (people who thought ) were more likely to live to the of 85. They said people who were more pessimistic (those who thought negatively) were 11-15 per cent likely to live to that age. The researchers believe that (positive thinkers) found it easier to manage than pessimists (negative thinkers).
Participants in the two answered questions in a survey. The questions assessed their of optimism. The surveys matched these levels with the participants' level of health. They were also asked about their levels of exercise, their , as well as how much they smoked and drank. Professor Lewina Lee said: "Our findings speak to the that raising levels of optimism may promote and healthy ageing." She had some for pessimists who might want to live longer. The was to, "imagine a future in which everything has turned out ". She urged people to increase levels of optimism. She said it was healthier for people to look on the side of life.
