Pessimists live longer! That's what the latest research shows. But for optimists like me it is a bad news!!
The American Psychological Association summarizes the research published in the journal Psychology and Aging, saying:
"Older people who have low expectations for a satisfying future may be more likely to live longer, healthier lives than those who see brighter days ahead, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.
“Our findings revealed that being overly optimistic in predicting a better future was associated with a greater risk of disability and death within the following decade,” said lead author Frieder R. Lang, PhD, of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany. “Pessimism about the future may encourage people to live more carefully, taking health and safety precautions.”
Those who see death and sickness in the future have a much more accurate picture of what lies in their path. Those who see only rainbows and sunshine ahead are fooling themselves and are less likely to live healthy, cautious lives. Of course, sometimes thinking optimistically is a good thing.
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