Live LONGER and BETTER with This “Mindset Trick”
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 20, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
Are you a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty person?
Do you think things will be better or worse when you look to the future?
Does every cloud have a silver lining? Or is doom hiding around every corner?
These are simple questions that help define your mindset.
But they do more than just explain your outlook. The way you look at life has a dramatic impact on your health.
In fact, new research shows this one “mindset trick” can actually literally help you live longer.
You might think that optimism or pessimism is baked into your personality. You’re simply born that way. But that’s not true. You CAN change the way you look at life.
And making those changes can literally affect how long you live.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society followed 161,808 women between 50 and 79. The research focused on whether or not being optimistic or pessimistic affected the women’s physical health.
The researchers found that the ladies with high levels of optimism lived longer, had better moods, exercised more, and ate better food. (And there’s every reason to believe that the same would be true of men had they been included in the study.)
At this point, you may wonder, “Are these women optimistic and in a better mood because they exercise and eat well, or do they eat well and exercise because they’re in a better mood?”
And my answer is, “Yes.” Because BOTH are true.
If you don’t feel well because you sit on the couch all day eating junk food your mood and outlook on life will be worse. But the opposite is true, as well.
I’ve seen it time and again. People who start living healthier get a boost in their mood and mindset. All it takes is practice.
Try to be more positive. Catch yourself when your mood is darkening and recommit to your positive outlook. When you do, you’ll find yourself eating better and wanting to exercise more without any extra effort.
Don’t worry. You don’t need to be Pollyanna and pretend everything is always great. We all know life can really be a struggle at times.
But, focusing on the good and being grateful for what you do have can lead to big payoffs for your health. And it could literally help you live longer.
PS: Wondering how long you’ll stick around? Take this four-question quiz to see if you’re likely to make it to 100.
Source:
“Optimism, lifestyle, and longevity in a racially diverse cohort of women,” Online Version of Record before inclusion in an issue, First published: 08 June 2022, https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.17897
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...
Common Antidepressants Linked to Silent Brain Damage
If you’re among the millions taking prescription antidepressants, I have some concerning news. A major study has uncovered a disturbing link between common antidepressants and a growing brain problem. And if you’re taking an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), you may find yourself in the crosshairs. Swedish researchers recently uncovered this troubling connection. They found...