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Health See other Health Articles Title: Study: Pessimists live longer, healthier lives Local-Germany: Older people who look on the darker side of life tend to live longer than optimists, who in turn face an increased risk of illness and mortality, a new study by a German research institute found on Thursday. Researchers in Germany and Switzerland found that older people who believe their life satisfaction will be above average in future face a 10-percent higher mortality risk or are more likely to develop physical health problems, the DIW think-tank said. "It is possible that a pessimistic outlook leads elderly people to look after themselves and their health better and take greater precautions against risks," said one of the researchers, Frieder Lang. "It seems that older people who have a low expectation of how contented they will be in future lead longer and healthier lives than those who believe their future is rosy," DIW said. The study was conducted by a team from the Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, the Berlin-based DIW as well as Humboldt University in Berlin and the university of Zurich. They analysed long-term data compiled between 1993 and 2003 where the same people belonging to three different age groups were asked every year to assess their current level of life satisfaction and how contented they expected to be in five years. Over the 10-year period the researchers checked with each participant six times whether their expected level of satisfaction tallied with reality five years on. Results showed 25 percent of older participants realistically estimated their future contentment, while around 43 percent underestimated it and 32 percent overestimated, the DIW said. Young adults mostly had an unrealistically rosy view of their future, while middle-aged people were largely spot on, it said. AFP/jlb Poster Comment: Optimism shouldn't be confused with lack of judgement and irresponsibility. Did this study really differentiate these things? If we look at people who are very pessimistic, those who even suffer from depression, they are often self neglecting, auto punishing and even suicidal. You have also to assess how much care people take of themselves. Pessimistic people may be more aware of dangers an d therefore protect themselves better against risks and diseases, while optimistic people due to ignorance or due to a naive mind may be less aware of risks and consequently expose themselves to danger. So, being optimistic or pessimistic without knowing how much care one takes of him/herself doesn't mean anything. The logic is right I think. Life has an overall tendency to be difficult, unfair and disappointing. Pessimists who assume this, are not depressed because they have already assumed they were going to have defeat and disappointment. Optimists however falsely assume life will treat them right and as a result they are constantly disappointed and depressed. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 2.
#1. To: Tatarewicz (#0)
Hey, I'm in like Flynn!
I should live forever. Shit.
There are no replies to Comment # 2. End Trace Mode for Comment # 2.
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