A Positive Outlook May Help You to Live Longer

According the World Health Organization, “ageism is most rampant in high-income countries, like the United States.  Americans, as a whole, place great value on youth, beauty, vitality and the ability to earn a large income.  Aging is, sadly, often seen as a debilitating process that robs people of these high-prized attributes.”  

However findings from a Yale School of Public Health study suggests that positive thinking and not stressing out as much about aging may help actually help keep our brains’ young.  In fact study participants who held more negative views on growing older were more likely to have changes in the brain typically associated with Alzheimer’s disease.  

Another study from the Boston University's School of Medicine that was recently published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that men and women with the highest levels of optimism had an 11% to 15% longer life span on average than those who practiced little positive thinking. Those with the highest scores of positive thinking were found to have the best chance of living to age 85 or beyond.  The lead author, Lewina Lee, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the school, said "This was the first study to look at the impact of optimism on exceptional longevity, which is defined as living to age 85 or more."

Researchers hypothesize that individuals with a more positive way of thinking tend to not only have goals but the confidence to achieve them.  Moreover “the results held true, the study found, even when socioeconomic status, health conditions, depression, smoking, social engagement, poor diet and alcohol use were considered.”   

At the MorningStar of Rio Rancho senior living community, we approach life with a loving spirit that permeates throughout our home.  Even during a pandemic, our MorningStar family continues to relish our commitment to one another as well as enjoy the fun we have.  This year’s Oktoberfest was no exception as it included a door-to-door beer trolley, nine holes of golf, and a slice of German chocolate cake to finish the day off.  Please contact us to learn more about the most trusted senior housing Rio Rancho offers.    

At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we are proud to offer the best senior living with our distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents in a beautiful setting.  Visit our website for more information regarding unsurpassed senior living in Rio Rancho, NM.  

Source: 

yale.edu/2018/02/07/positive-attitudes-about-aging-reduce-risk-dementia-older-adults

cnn.com/2019/08/26/health/optimism-live-longer-wellness/index.html