A Positive Attitude
is Good for the Health of Senior Citizens, Research Proves
One way is it
reduces stress, which is a source of many ailments for seniors
Jan. 20, 2011
Feeling good and having a positive attitude has often been associated
with good health. A new review of existing research seems to prove this
is true for senior citizens positive emotions do influence healthy
outcomes for older people.
We all age. It
is how we age, however, that determines the quality of our lives, said
Anthony Ong of Cornell University, author of the review article in
Current Directions in Psychological Science. The data he reviews suggest
that positive emotions may be a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and
illness.
There are
several pathways through which a positive attitude can protect against
poor health later in life. For example, happier people might take a
proactive approach to aging by regularly exercising and budgeting time
for a good nights sleep.
On the other
hand, these people may avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and
risky sex. The benefits of these healthy lifestyle choices may become
more important in older adults, as their bodies become more susceptible
to disease.
Optimism
reduces stress that reduces disease
An optimistic
outlook has also been shown to combat stress - a known risk factor for a
lot of disease. Studies have found that people with stronger positive
emotions have lower levels of chemicals associated with inflammation
related to stress. Also, by adopting a positive attitude people may even
be able to undo some of the physical damage caused by stress.
Ong, a
developmental psychologist, became interested in the study of positive
emotion during graduate school when he learned about what researchers
call the paradox of aging: Despite the notable loss of physical function
throughout the body, a persons emotional capacity seemed to stay
consistent with age.
Ong speculates
that if positive emotions are indeed good for our health then, one
direct, measureable consequence of this should be the extended years of
quality living.
The review,
"Pathways Linking Positive Emotion and Health in Later Life," is
published in Current Directions in Psychological Science, a
journal of the Association for Psychological Science. It publishes
concise reviews on the latest advances in theory and research spanning
all of scientific psychology and its applications.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Jan. 20, 2011
Feeling good and having a positive attitude has often been associated
with good health. A new review of existing research seems to prove this
is true for senior citizens positive emotions do influence healthy
outcomes for older people.
