Optimists Live Longer...

With a quarter of all children born today expected to live beyond the age of 100 does science really have all the answers when it comes to the secret to reaching 100?

"The science is slightly baffled by this, we still don't really understand what makes a centenarian because all of them are unique," says Prof Tim Spector, an expert on ageing from Kings College London.

For some centenarians the key to successful ageing is not as tangible as, for instance, eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

"My twin sister was a terrible pessimist, she died when she was not yet 70 because she never laughed, never. Laughing is beautiful though," says 108-year-old Alice Herz-Sommer.

"I'm an optimist, for me it's only the good things, never a bad thought," she says.

Born in 1903, Mrs Herz-Sommer has managed to retain a positive outlook despite a horrific start to life.

The oldest living survivor of the Holocaust, she was imprisoned in Terezin (also known as Theresienstadt) concentration camp, near Prague, with her young son Raphael.

She survived the war by playing the piano in concerts within the camp. Her husband died in Germany at Belsen concentration camp.

Do not take yourself too seriously: We are just a drop in the ocean.

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Happiness 'helps you live longer'...

Researchers found "clear and compelling evidence" that happiness paves the way to better health and longer lifespans.

The review of more than 160 studies found the evidence connecting an upbeat outlook to a healthier life was even stronger than that linking obesity to reduced longevity.

It backed previous studies that found a “glass half full” approach was good for your health.

Scientists from the University of Illinois found positive moods reduced stress-related hormones and increased immune function.

Their study, published in the journal Applied Psychology: Health and Wellbeing, found happiness lead to quicker recovery from exercise.

It also concluded that anxiety, depression, and pessimism were linked to higher rates of disease and a shorter lifespan.

People who felt intense anger or lived in stressful environments were more likely to be sick more often and died earlier.

“I was almost shocked, and certainly surprised, to see the consistency of the data,” said Prof Ed Diener, who lead the study.

“The general conclusion from each type of study is that your subjective wellbeing, that is, feeling positive about your life, not stressed out, not depressed, contributes to both longevity and better health among healthy populations.

“(The) overwhelming majority ... support the conclusion that happiness is associated with health and longevity."

Prof Diener noted that while current health edicts focus on obesity, smoking, eating habits and exercise "it may be time to add 'be happy and avoid chronic anger and depression' to the list."

"Happiness is no magic bullet, but the evidence is clear and compelling that it changes your odds of getting disease or dying young.”

The review looked at eight different types of long-term studies and experimental trials involving both human and animal subjects.

For example, 5,000 university students studied for more than 40 years provided evidence that the most pessimistic students tended to die younger.

In another study, based on 180 catholic nuns, researchers found those who wrote positive autobiographies in their early 20s tended to outlive those who wrote more negative accounts of their young lives.

Animals who lived in stressful conditions, such as crowded cages, had weaker immune systems and a higher susceptibility to heart disease.

They also died at a younger age than those in less crowded conditions.

Source: Andrew Hough - Telegraph