Negativity can affect the health of older adults, so can positivity, ScienceDaily.com reports.

Although studies have proven that loneliness may increase the risk of health and heart problems in seniors, taking a look at the brighter side of life may actually avert and prevent physical manifestations of negative emotions.

Researchers from Concordia University in Canada followed 122 seniors for six years and asked them to answer questionnaires where they had to rate statements that reflected certain perspectives in life. The researchers measured the participants' cortisol levels, which is linked to stress-related changes in the body, as well as the volunteers' C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, which rises whenever there's inflammation in our bodies. CRP can be used as markers for illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

They found that older adults suffering from loneliness managed to put their cortisol levels under control by thinking positively. Making positivity a habit also showed improvement in the participants' CRP levels well into the fourth year of observation.

In the end, it’s all in the mind. If you think that your body will always remain healthy and young, it will be as you think it no matter what your age is. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally, can help you live longer and happier.

(Photo by Jane Rahman via Flickr Creative Commons)