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Subscribe to RSSIf you’re happy and you know it, maybe you really should clap your hands. That’s because being happy might make you live longer.
In a study published today in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from University College, London found that happy people reduced their risk of premature death by as much 35 percent.
Unlike other “happiness” studies that rely on a participant’s long-term recall of emotional states, the researchers used a technique called Ecological Momentary Assessment, which gives a quick picture of what a person is feeling in real time.
In this study, the nearly 4,000 participants, ages 52 to 79, were asked to rate their feelings of happiness or anxiety on a sliding scale four times over the course of one day, beginning when they woke up in the morning. The scientists then followed them for five years, recording the number of deaths during that time.
After controlling for age, gender, depression, certain diseases like cancer or diabetes, and health-related behaviors like smoking, study results showed that those folks who rated their feelings of happiness higher lived longer than those with lower scores.
“I was a bit surprised that the happiness effect was so strong, even among people who had chronic diseases,” says lead author Andrew Steptoe, professor of epidemiology and psychology.
The authors are quick to point out although the study was designed to look at correlations, not cause-and-effect relationships, it highlights the importance of a positive outlook on life. “Older people have needs that we in society try to supply like good healthcare and ensuring they have enough money to live on,” says Steptoe. “But maybe we should pay attention to their well being in terms of happiness, too.”
Other researchers who study that sometimes elusive state of well being known as happiness say the study is significant. “I hope they continue to follow this group out to 10 years and 15 years,” says Stephen Post, professor of preventive medicine at Stony Brook University, since he believes the mortality gap between the happy and the sad may become even bigger.
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Repent and Believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and you will recieve the HOLY SPIRIT of God.
Actually, the article should read, "Want to live longer, stick your head in the sand." haha Seriously though, what I have been noticing more and more is that the happiest people I know have no clue what is going on the world, let alone their own lives but that doesn't get in the way of that stupid grin on their faces.
Yeah, I know, I'm being too harsh but it's true to some degree.
I do think there is a truth to the article. There are many examples of how being happy, or less stressed which I suppose can translate to being happy, may result in a person's biology rewarding them, so to speak. Just look at all those couples who conceive after they have let go of the stress of trying to have a baby.
I for one hope that being happy is always coupled with self-awareness and a solid understanding of what is going on in the world. It's not only about our happiness, is it?
I'd be happy to live to be the ripe old age of 150 provided I could still get wood.
Whoa !!!!! At least your honest ! LOLOLOL
I have noticed that people that tend to view their happiness and lot in life dependent upon others are usually the ones in the worst circumstances and miserable.
I may not have the best life, but when I accept personal responsibility and decide to make my life better, it becomes inifinitely better.
To those of you who come on to forums to whine and blame, its no wonder you are miserable. You are probably miserable to be around. When you are a happy person to be around, happy people surround you.
Now. Grow up and get on with the business of living!
I have always felt - and for this i guess i am extremely blessed - That it is totally AMAZING that WE are even HERE. We Exist. We get to interact, we get to experience, we get to create, we get to witness such extreme beauty, etc... For this gift, I have always felt a great responsibility and desire to ENJOY LIFE and emit vibes of POSITIVITY... Peace ;) www.ElevateTheVibe.com
This story was a double whammy. First I'm sad a lot, so that's saddening and then they say if you're sad you die young. Gosh!
With the economic situation we are in and the so called leaders we have (and those waiting in the wings) the only way anyone can be "happy" is blind drunk.
Some people would rather be CERTAIN they're miserable than ever risk being happy.
WELL SAID !
As they said on The Partridge Family"Come On Get Happy"
What's to be happy about??
I think happiness is the greatest gift. You can be without money or material things and be happier than ever. I lost my job several years ago and had to sell my house and most of my material things. But I'm happy I have people that love me and I love them. Could care less about material crap. However, I do miss my Harley touring bike. Someday I may be able to get another one. But I'm still happy no matter what.
NICE !!!!! :)
Live longer? Are you kidding me?
Stress = heart disease , un happiness, sleepless nights and death . Its a rolling affect .
its all easier said than done . But I am sure trying to reduce mines . Life is so Damn short !
Psychotropic drugs, such as prozac, simply do not make people happy. They are given to people with a chemical imbalance to allow them to experience a normal range of emotions. If you do not have a chemical imbalance, they will do nothing for you!!!
If one is facing poverty in old age because of reduced social security and and pain and ill health due to cutbacks in medicare, who wants to live long?
Problems are experienced from time to time,it is just how we perceive and deal with it. Optimism is directly related to happiness..When you are happy you feel that everything has a solution to such difficulties..hence a reason to smile and laugh that results to younger looking and a long life to spend in the world..:)
Are they living longer because they're happy or are they happy because they're healthier, not in pain when they walk, not suffering digestive problems, etc. and living longer?
The most pleasant person I ever met was my college chemistry major advisor, with whom I coauthored two research papers published in major chemical journals. But he was afflicted with multiple sclerosis and it slowly changed his mood and personality as the disease worsened over a two-decade period before it killed him.
So if you interviewed him in his late 30's just before he caught the disease, he was happy and healthy. If you interviewed him in his 50's, he was grumpy and not-healthy and died in his 50's.