"It appears that happiness does not predict longevity in sick populations, but that it does predict longevity among healthy populations. So, happiness does not cure illness but it does protect against becoming ill. The effect of happiness on longevity in healthy populations is remarkably strong. The size of the effect is comparable to that of smoking or not."

..................................................................................

The death rate is reduced with each increase in life satisfaction and is consistently reduced for those who undertake crafts, social visiting and activities regularly. Social participation is linked with lower risks of death. Life satisfaction is also protective, particularly among females and people aged 85+.

...................................................................................

Patient avoidance of disease-related emotions has increasingly been linked with negative outcomes. "Mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies have advocated the importance of nonjudgmental attention to unwanted thoughts, feelings, and bodily experiences without attempting to avoid or change them." These approaches help patients better cope with the stress of illness, and have been shown to help with rheumatoid arthritis and depression.

................................................................................

The American Psychiatric Association considers bright-light therapy an effective low-risk treatment for both seasonal affective disorder (mild to severe winter blues) and also major depression. Prozac is equally effective, though light produces results faster, usually within a week, and with fewer side effects. Some people may want to try simply getting more natural light to help with seasonal mood changes — getting out as much as possible during the brightest time of day in the winter, sitting near windows during the day or taking vacations to sunny locales in the winter.

..................................................................................................

Women victimized as children or adolescents show about a 62 percent greater risk of cardiac disease in adulthood. “We’ve also seen in earlier studies that women with a history of abuse were at an increased risk for hypertension and diabetes, particularly if that abuse occurred in childhood." "Abuse (is) the elephant in the room that we’re failing to talk about.”

................................................................................

Major emotional events experienced over a lifetime may contribute to the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is marked by abdominal discomfort, bloating, constipation and diarrhea. Psychological and emotional trauma may sensitize the brain and gut. "Stress has been linked to IBS, and childhood abuse has been reported to be present in up to 50 percent of patients with IBS, at a prevalence twice that of patients without IBS."

.................................................................................

Being happy may increase the length of life. Older people were up to 35% less likely to die if they reported feeling happy, excited, and content on a typical day. Depression symptoms were not associated with mortality rates. "This finding suggests that the absence of happiness may be a more important measure of health in older people than the presence of negative emotion."

.....................................................................................

Individuals who are prone to getting angry may have a higher risk for heart failure. High anger levels were also associated with a greater risk of getting readmitted to the hospital. Previous studies have also found a link between anger or hostility and the risks of stroke and coronary heart disease.

....................................................................................

Being depressed may increase an individual's risk of stroke and stroke death. Depression was associated with a 45% increased risk of total stroke and a 55% higher risk of fatal stroke. Antidepressants may also contribute to the increased risk of stroke.

This works. With every point increase in optimism there was a 9% decrease in acute stroke risk. Being optimistic may have a protective effect on stroke because of the behavior choices optimistic people tend to make, such as exercising or eating a healthy diet or taking vitamins. However, some evidence indicates positive thinking may have a strictly biological effect as well.