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Summary A review of more than 160 studies on the connection between a positive state of mind and overall health and longevity has found clear and compelling evidence that happier people enjoy better health and longer lives.
According to a journal ‘Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being’, evidence linking an upbeat outlook and enjoyment of life to better health and longer life was stronger even than that linking obesity to reduced longevity.The review looked at eight different types of long-term studies and experimental trials of both human and animal populations. Professor emeritus, Ed Diener at the University of Illinois psychology who led the review said that studies reviewed found the overwhelming majority support the conclusion that happiness is associated with health and longevity.For example, 5,000 university students studied for more than 40 years provided evidence that the most pessimistic students tended to die younger. In the laboratory, positive moods were found to reduce stress-related hormones, increase immune function and help the heart recover following exertion.Also, animals that lived in stressful conditions such as crowded cages had weaker immune systems and a higher susceptibility to heart disease, and died at a younger age than those in less crowded conditions.Diener noted that while current health edicts focus on obesity, smoking, eating habits and exercise, he thinks that it may be time to add be happy and avoid chronic anger and depression to the list.
