It was once believed that good natured people lived short lives. Perhaps because of its similarity to the life of Christ; the belief in short lived 'starry' lives was compounded further in earlier times, when childhood and infant death were common. Infectious diseases were rife, and whether you were good natured or not, death often struck rapidly and without warning - there was no way to know whether personality and health were related.

In today's era of Modern Medicine however, with technology constantly shifting and changing, and people's beliefs so varied, research is investigating whether there is a link; Could it be possible that optimism and a sunny disposition leads to living longer?

In some studies the answer is conclusively 'Yes', as a growing body of evidence shows that 'well-adjusted, socially stable people appear to have a lower risk of disease and premature death compared to the pessimistic'. In one study by researchers in Yale, people over 50 who viewed aging as a positive experience lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those who did not. The study claims that we can get more lifespan out of our will to live than any other psychological factor.


The sunshine factor

"Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?", a project carried out by Harvard researcher Dr. Laura Kubzansky found that optimism was protective against Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) - the UK's biggest killer. Dr Kubznasky and other researchers believe that negative emotions and chronic pessimism should be regarded as a risk factor for this disease, which is responsible for four out of every ten deaths that occur within the UK.

Latest research by the British Heart Foundation (www.bhf.org.uk) also shows that although figures for CHD are down – 114,000 deaths in 2003, there is still a wide gap between the North and South of UK in fighting this preventable disease.

"The North-South divide in death rates has been a problem for decades and it is concerning that the gap is not narrowing, despite efforts made in recent years to improve public health in those areas most in need." stated Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director of the BHF.

The report shows that there are huge geographical variations within UK - Scotland tops the table, with 244 premature deaths per 100,000 men, while in South West England the equivalent figure is 146. Professor Weissberg later goes on to suggest that this is linked to the differences in North and South lifestyle factors, eg. Smoking, Alcohol consumption and Diet. Perhaps these in turn can be linked to optimism within a person's life?

Could chronic frustration and anger lead to smoking, excessive drinking, or poor eating habits? By being optimistic, a person might be more motivated to change their bad habits, and in some cases will not have them in the first place. Optimism can lead a person to seek and follow medical advice, to live in ways that work to prevent illness and to have a more powerful immune response.

Then where does this optimism come from? What makes us see the glass half empty or half full? Since personality begins in infancy and childhood, many studies have looked for health-promoting traits in kids. Interestly, one study that had followed a group of children since the 1920s, found that the personality trait most associated with long life was conscience - the urge to prefer right over wrong. According to researchers at the University of California, 'conscience' is something that begins in childhood, and manifests as self-discipline, dependability, prudence, care, and the will to achieve. It has been found that these traits may be more important to health over a lifetime than any other factor! More important than optimism, or possibly part of the same thing; conscience may provide a sound and realistic underpinning for optimism.


Conscience--the gift that allows you to keep giving

What is the answer therefore to living healthier? Its certainly worth cultivating your conscience a little more. If you want to live a long and healthy life--and deep down who doesn't?--then think about how optimistic or pessimistic you are. Do you worry too much about tomorrow? Do you live following your conscience? Do you love and care about your life?

Every patient can generally be divided into two types; the ones who think they will just get more and more ill as time goes by - that there is nothing that can be done, and the ones who are determined to get better with all their strength.

Perhaps by finding this more positive outlook, you can improve the length of your life - there is always room for more hope! Don't Worry...Be Happy...This means taking care of yourself too - eating right, not smoking and exercising daily.

And if you are already confident that you have this incurable optimism, this happy childhood and a life that overflows with Joy, then don't forget that keeping healthy is still important too!