Health Farm

-- Look on the bright side of life, the song written for the 1979 comedy Monty Python’s Life of Brian, touches on stoicism and stiff upper lip – a degree of optimism, if you like, in the face of adversity (crucifixion, in the case of Monty Python’s comedy).

Turns out that’s just the attitude one should take to live longer than life’s average pessimist.

A UK study examining groups of people recruited for two health studies – 70,000 women in the Nurses Health Study and 1,500 men in the Veterans Health Study – zeroed in on levels of optimism and overall health.

On average, the most optimistic men and women lived 11-15% longer and were significantly more likely to live to 85 years old compared to the least optimistic group.

Researchers haven’t yet nailed down psychological factors that influence healthy aging, but they have their suspicions.

Prof Lewina Lee, associate professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine, who worked on the study, said optimistic people tended to have goals and the confidence to reach them. They’re also more effective problem-solvers and better at regulating their emotions during stressful situations.

Another pundit, Prof Bruce Hood, chair of developmental psychology in society at the University of Bristol, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that optimists cope better with stress by avoiding ruminating about negative life events. “Stress impacts the immune system, so there is a possibility that optimists cope better with infections,” he said.

He added that studies have also linked stress with shorter telomeres, a chromosome component that’s been associated with cellular ageing and risk for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Reminds of that other song: Don’t worry, be happy.