The age-old problem - how to become a long-liver - originates from the biblical patriarchs. Gerontologists try to take into account any factors that prolong the life of a person. And an important place at present in their theories is the dispute, who will live longer - an optimist or a pessimist?
Not so long ago it was believed that only an optimist with his belief in a brighter future has more chances to overcome both senile ailments and other "delights" coming in old age. But statistical studies conducted in various research centers disprove this position.
The American Psychological Association published the results of an analysis of data collected from 1993 to 2003 for three groups of the following age categories: from 18 to 39 years, from 40 to 64 years and over 65 years. The researchers asked participants to assess how satisfied they are with their lives at the moment and predict their level of satisfaction with their own being in five years. And five years later they were interrogated repeatedly and compared with the forecasts of five years ago. In total, over forty thousand people were interviewed.
The results of the older group - 65 years or more, were stunned. 25 percent of respondents indicated their prospects almost exactly, 43 percent underestimated their future, and 32 percent - overestimated. So, among the optimistic old-timers who waited five years for the most joyous life for themselves, 9.5% had health deterioration, and as further observation showed, the risk of dying or becoming disabled in the next decade increased by 10% compared to the rest participants in their age group.
The head of the research believes that this is quite understandable, since pessimistic citizens constantly expect from the fate of some kind of dirty trick and are morally ready for anything. They lead a healthier lifestyle than their peers, optimists, pay more attention to safety at work and at home. This can not be disagreed, because pessimism - this is not a permanent complaint about life, but a skeptical attitude to anything. Unjustified hopes are capable of knocking down young people, too, what can be said about the old people there. And how can one not remember the anecdote about an old Jew who did not brag about questions about his affairs and health, but answered modestly: "Do not wait!".
Researchers also noted that the better-off elderly have a higher risk of injury, and, as a consequence, disability. This is also understandable: people with wealth do not want to put up with the years gone by and try to live more actively. Then you and extreme travel, and fitness, and as they say, "gray hair in a beard, a demon in the rib." Which leads to different injuries and unexpected health problems.