The positive effects of positive thinking and being happy on human life have been repeatedly insisted.
It is also believed that people with positive thinking in everyday life live longer but it is difficult to believe without scientific evidence.
However, a number of researches have revealed interesting facts about the relationship between positive thinking and longevity and its other effects on human life.
In this regard, a recent study of 160,000 women from different races and backgrounds confirms the link between positive thinking and longevity, according to which positive thinking can lead to a long life even it increase the chances of living more than 90 years.
The study, published in the American Journal of Geriatrics, found that the food quality, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), smoking and other factors that measure a healthy lifestyle have less than a quarter effect on longevity of life than positive thinking.
Hayami Koga, a postdoctoral student at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, who was involved in the study, said: “Although positive thinking may be related to social structural factors, the results of our research show that positive thinking is linked to longevity from a racial background.”
This is not the first study to find a strong link between longevity and positive thinking.
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A 2019 study found that men and women with high levels of positive thinking have an average life expectancy of 11 to 15 percent longer than those with very low levels of positive thinking.
Even those with the highest scores with positive thinking were more likely to live to be 85 or older.
According to the study, factors such as socioeconomic status, health, depression, smoking, social engagement, poor diet and alcoholism were included in the study, but the results proved to be correct.
Experts say that positive thinking does not mean ignoring the problems of life, but when there are problematic things happen in life, people with positive thinking, instead of blaming themselves, see it as a temporary obstacle and see the positive side of it.
People with positive thinking also believe that they have control over their own destiny and can create opportunities for good things to happen in the future.
Research shows that staying positive and optimistic also improves your health.
Previous research has found a direct link between positive thinking and a healthy diet, exercise, better heart health, a stronger immune system, better lung function and a lower risk of death
Another study found that only 25% of our positive thinking is related to our genes, the rest is up to us how we react to life’s problems.
Don’t worry if your mood is more likely to be bitter during stress, this research shows that you can train your brain to be more positive.
According to the analysis of various researches done in this regard, one of the most effective ways to increase positive thinking is called ‘The best possible self‘, in which you imagine yourself in a future in which you have achieved all the goals of your life and all your problems have been solved.
Experts say start writing for 15 minutes about the details you have in your imagination that you wish in future and spend 5 minutes thinking about how this reality looks and feels, experts say practicing it on a daily basis can significantly improve your positive emotions.
In a 2011 study, students exercised for 15 minutes once a week for 8 weeks, not only did they start to feel more positive, but these feelings lasted for about 6 months.
Also, if you spend a few minutes each day writing about things that make you grateful, this process can also build your positive point of view about life.
Numerous studies have shown that gratitude improves one’s ability to cope with life in a positive way by breaking down common negative thinking.
According to research, the process of counting blessings has also reduced anxiety in adolescents.
In essence, this is all which science has prove today but Islam already has teaches us to be positive in life, count your blessings, always have faith on Allah and never loose your hope.
Loosing hope is a sin!