Happiness and health have a connection and now we have strong evidence to prove the same. A review of 160 studies analyzing the connection between happiness and health published in the journal “Applied Psychology journal: Health and well-being”, speaks of a powerful link between an optimistic outlook and its effects on overall health and longevity.
A happy disposition and a positive outlook in life led to better health and longer life, the study revealed. One good reason is that positive feelings cuts down stress related hormones in the body and enhances immune function.
During a study conducted on animals, it was observed that animals which lived in better conditions, as in spacious cages, had stronger immune systems and lower vulnerability to heart disease. They also outlived their less fortunate counterparts.
Another study which followed the lives of 5000 university students for 40 years revealed that those who harbored negative thoughts and a pessimistic outlook were the ones who died young.
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