Remember the saying “Smile, it’s not going to kill you”? Well, leave it to science to prove that very saying true. It seems that smiling and being optimistic may be associated with better cardiovascular health. In particular, a recent study found that those who reported being more optimistic tended to have better heart health. What does that mean for the rest of us? Quit sulking and be positive and grateful for the opportunities presented to you! But who needs that, you have a better excuse to smile at your co-workers, it’s for your health.
The Study
The study on optimism and heart health conducted at the University of Illinois is one of the first to take into play socioeconomic factors, age, race, and smoking just to name a few. What this means is that the study was more inclusive and is relatable to a larger audience. Participants were between the ages of 45 and 84 were not only asked to take a few physical exams, do blood work, but also fill out forms relating to their mental health. Those participants who reported having higher levels of optimism, in turn, had medically backed better health!
