Scientists Say One Trait Could Help You Live 11% Longer

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According to science, staying positive is the key to longevity. The actor Dick Van Dyke turned 100 years old on December 13th, 2025, and he celebrated his century of life by publishing an book called "100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist's Guide to a Happy Life." That subtitle is extremely telling. While Dick Van Dyke advocates a full 100 habits for longevity, optimism is where he hit the nail on the head. Numerous studies have shown that a positive outlook on life, and remaining calm in the face of adversity, can statistically extend your life by a significant amount.

It's important to recognize that optimism isn't the only habit associated with longevity. Genetics, lifestyle, and even gut health are major predictors in lifespan. For example, there's an association between coffee consumption and longevity, and there may even be medications that can extend your lifespan. But when we isolate the psychological behaviors of long-lived peoples (and ignore the chemical and genetic factors), it appears that a positive outlook plays an important role. This is perhaps best exemplified by the findings of a 2019 research study from scientists based in Massachusetts, who discovered that optimism is associated with an 11% to nearly 15% longer life span.

The study builds off of research that found that "optimistic individuals are less likely to suffer from chronic diseases and die prematurely." The study's methodology accounted for socioeconomic influences, pre-existing health conditions, and behaviors like smoking and alcohol consumption. The extra years were roughly the same for both men and women: Comparing participants with the lowest optimism levels against those with the highest optimism levels, optimism's boost to lifespan can be as high as 14.5% greater.

It's fairly easy to compare the lifespans of optimists and pessimists to determine which outlook increases longevity, but it's not as easy to determine why optimism extends lifespans by an average of 11 to 15%. For now, explanations are mostly speculative. Numerous studies have demonstrated that optimism is connected to a reduced risk of chronic diseases and premature mortality, but there's still a need for more research.

One area of interest involves depression. Depression has been linked to earlier mortality and higher rates of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Such conditions are referred to as "confounders." However, the "confounding" influence of wealth and education can't be overlooked. Men who reported higher levels of optimism were most likely to report higher levels of income and education, suggesting that financial security is highly influential in promoting positive life choices. Wealthy actors may be right to promote optimistic thinking, but the ease in adopting such a mindset depends on numerous factors. In other words, it's easier said than done for those struggling with health, wealth, and mental illness.

Furthermore, optimism is associated with pulmonary, cardiovascular, metabolic, and immunological benefits. Reducing stress hormones, such as cortisol and noradrenaline, typically lowers the inflammation that's responsible for many of the health problems that cause an early death. Even isolation has been linked to numerous hazardous ailments like depression, cardiovascular disease, and decreased cognitive function. Thus, inflammation caused by depression is the most likely candidate for pessimists' shorter expected lifespans, which means looking on the bright side of life can help you live longer and feel better.