We all know people who always have a positive disposition, but it turns out that a glass half full approach could help improve your health. Positive thinking allows people to focus on the good things in life and a recent study has discovered it does bring health benefits.
Researchers assessed the connection between the long-term health of people with a heart condition and an optimistic attitude, using data acquired through a questionnaire. All the people taking part in the study had angina and were preparing to undergo medical procedures to improve their heart health. Astoundingly, researchers found that people who reported feeling the most optimistic suffered lower levels of pain from angina and the most optimistic were 40% less likely to need more surgery. However, people falling into this category could be more likely to engage in behaviours that would help their health, such as exercising and not smoking. Even given these variables, it is still worth trying to foster a more optimistic outlook on life.
