From a healthy diet to an active lifestyle, some longevity-boosting tricks are no secret. However, Dr Mosley’s technique for a longer life may come as a surprise. It’s simple, it costs nothing and you can practice it anywhere.
The doctor explained: “In a 2019 study by Boston University School of Medicine, researchers discovered that optimistic people live, on average, seven years longer than their more pessimistic friends.
“And they are more likely to achieve ‘exceptional longevity’, i.e. living to age 85 or older.”
The study looked at 69,744 women and 1,429 men.
Both of these groups were surveyed to assess their level of optimism, overall health and lifestyles.
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Women were followed for the length of 10 years, while the men were followed for 30 years.
Their findings also accounted for age, demographic factors including education, chronic diseases, depression, and health habits, such as alcohol intake, exercise and diet.
Corresponding author Lewina Lee, PhD, said: “This study has strong public health relevance because it suggests that optimism is one such psychosocial asset that has the potential to extend the human lifespan.
“Interestingly, optimism may be modifiable using relatively simple techniques or therapies.”
It is not clear how exactly optimism helps to boost longevity.
But few theories explain it might be down to positive people being able to regulate their emotions and behaviour better or that they follow healthier habits.
And positivity isn’t only beneficial for your lifespan but it can also help you sleep, Dr Mosley noted.
He said: “Another study in 2019, from the University of Illinois, found optimistic people tend to sleep better, too.
“That may be because they usually look for answers to problems, rather than fretting about things, which disrupts sleep.”
How to be more positive
The doctor recommends to “stop listening to your inner critic” and focusing on your successes as research shows that this might help rewire your brain.
Harvard Medical School lists focusing on social relationships, practising gratitude meditation and setting achievable goals for yourself as good options.
Looking for positive aspects of negative situations can also help, the university adds.