Why Optimism Might Be One of the Healthiest Choices You Make

We often think about longevity in terms of diet, exercise, sleep, or genetics. But there’s another factor quietly influencing how long—and how well—we live: optimism.

Two major studies back this up. Research from Boston University, often referred to as “Optimists Live Longer,” found that people with a more optimistic outlook were significantly more likely to live longer and reach older ages. Similarly, a Harvard study linked higher levels of optimism with a longer life span and better overall health outcomes. In short, hope isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a measurable contributor to wellbeing.

Optimism doesn’t mean ignoring reality or pretending life is always easy. It means believing the future holds possibility, even when the present feels heavy. It’s about trusting that challenges can be met, adapted to, and learned from. That mindset reduces stress, supports better coping strategies, and encourages healthier behaviours—all of which play a role in longevity.

This is where the E in my FORCE analogy comes in — Embracing the Positives — it really matters.

Embracing the positives isn’t about toxic positivity or denying pain. It’s about choosing where we place our focus. Even on hard days, there are moments worth noticing: a conversation, a laugh, a small win, a lesson learned. When we train ourselves to see these moments, we shift how our nervous system responds to life. We calm the body. We steady the mind. And over time, those small shifts add up.

Hope and optimism give us something powerful: a reason to keep moving forward. They help us recover faster, engage more fully with life, and believe that our actions today still matter tomorrow.

Living longer isn’t just about adding years to life. It’s about adding life to years. And sometimes, that begins with a simple choice—to embrace the positives and believe the future is still worth showing up for.

(AI generated)