If you’re feeling a bit glum or even depressed, now is a good time to turn that frown upside down! A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has reported that people who are happy might have a higher chance of living longer than their unhappy counterparts.

Researchers began their experiment by interviewing 3,800 participants between ages 52 to 79. The subjects were asked to report how they were feeling at four points in one day. After analyzing the results, the researchers then divided everyone into three groups with each one representing a certain level of happiness. Each group had the same overall health and employment status. Some of the factors that differed among them were how old they were and if they smoked.

After five years, the study authors paid their participants another visit. Unfortunately, some of them were no longer around. Seven percent of the least happy group had already passed away. Meanwhile, the happiest group lost four percent of their members while the middle group lost five percent of theirs.

Not wasting any time, the researchers conducted another interview, asking the remaining participants about their chronic diseases, socioeconomic situations, and alcohol consumption among others. After reviewing their data, they reported that the happiest group members were 35 percent less likely to have passed away and the middle group members 20 percent less likely.

While there is not enough evidence for the study to really claim that happiness contributes to a longer life, the researchers have found that positive emotions do have jurisdiction over the part of the brain that controls blood vessels and inflammation. So keep that smile on your face! You never know how it might help your health in the long run.


Want to read more articles about happiness? Check these out on FN:

• New Study: You Can Think Your Way to Happiness Even When You Lose
• Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine: Research Links Sense of Humor to General Wellbeing
• Happiness Is Healthy: The Benefits of Having Fun
• Cheer Up, Chin Up: 12 Ways to Stay Positive
• New Study: Research Shows Happiness and Sadness Are Infectious + 10 Small Ways to Spread Joy
• All About You: 10 Ways to Love Yourself
• Hands-on Happiness Tip: Fake Positivity Until You Believe It

(Photo by Ame Otoko via Flickr Creative Commons)