Positive Lives Are Positively Longer
Professor David J. Demko, PhD
AgeVenture News Service
Does a longer life appeal to you? If so, you may want to forget about that "apple a day keeps the doctor away" philosophy. Instead, use your head ... try a healthy dose of positive thinking. New research finds that experiencing positive emotions can lead to a longer life. In other words, "Those who long to live are those who live long" (AgeVenture News, 1999).
A May 2001 study, published by the American Psychological Association suggests a link between writing about positive experiences and living a longer life. Specifically, handwritten autobiographies were examined in a longitudinal study of 180 nuns from different convents around the U.S. to determine whether the emotional content of these writings increased or decreased the nun's mortality risks.
The autobiographies were written by the sisters when they were, on average, 22 years of age.
When the nuns were contacted six decades later when they were between 75-90 years old, 58 percent of the sisters exceeded their life expectancy. Those whose writings focused on the positive emotions survived the longest.
The sisters represent a unique opportunity for a longevity study because of uniform lifestyle and culture of Catholic sisters. For example, the nuns had similar reproductive and marital histories, social activities and support, did not smoke or drink excessive amounts of alcohol. They also had similar occupations and socioeconomic status and had comparable access to medical care.
Why does positive emotional content early in life writings lead to a long life? The study authors speculate that "individual differences in emotional content in the autobiographies possibly reflect life-long patterns of emotional responses to life events."
Those interested in reviewing the study in detail can visit their local college or university library. Request the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Volume 80, Number 5. The study is titled "Positive Emotions in Early Life and Longevity: Findings From the Nun Study." Co-authors include Deborah D. Danner, Ph.D., David A. Snowdon, Ph.D., and Wallace V. Friesen, Ph.D., University of Kentucky.
See related articles in AgeVenture archives.
In the Long Run Jogging Adds Years to Life
How to Reduce Stress and Live Longer
Religious Involvement Promotes Longevity
If You Don't Long to Live, You Won't Live Too Long
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