Is there one ring to rule them all? Perhaps.
We are always on the lookout for the ONE thing. Well, here it is:
Optimistic people live longer and happier.
That’s it. That’s the tweet.
But that got me thinking. Why is optimism such a powerful force?
Consider these:
• Positive people straight up live longer. Like 10 years longer on average
• Positive work cultures outcompete negative environments
• Big surprise, but positive people have more friends, a key factor in happiness and longevity
• Looking on the bright side makes us more resilient and less likely to quit when things become difficult
Tie it all together with a bow and what do you get? According to the National Academy of Sciences, having a positive outlook is the 2nd most predictive factor to longevity outside of suffering a heart attack. Let that sink in.
Optimistic thinking is not one-dimensional. It’s multi-dimensional.
• requires mindfulness of the lessons of the past
• gratitude for the blessings of the present
• lofty expectations of what’s to come
These practices, taken in concert, tend to lead to future-oriented behaviors such as regular exercise, eating balanced diets, meditation and healthy sleeping routines. These behaviors lead people to be less likely to develop cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseases, all leading causes of death in many cultures around the world.
These habits are not cumulative. They are multiplicative.
Objects in motion tend to stay in motion. Good begets good.
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