Do happy people tend to live longer?

1. 74

   Ruchiraposted 13 years ago

   Do happy people tend to live longer?

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2. 67

   LeisureLifeposted 13 years ago

   I believe a read about this somewhere recently...but I don't have a link or anything.  The study showed that people who are generally more happy than others/have a positive outlook on life do infact live longer lives. Interesting topic

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3. 59

   ExplodingPopTartposted 13 years ago

   Yes, it has been scientifically proven. Happier people tend to have less health problems as well.

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   AMBASSADOR BUTLERposted 13 years ago

   Yes, and I will be living to the ripe age of 120 plus years on the earth.

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5. 60

   Joan1posted 13 years ago

   Apparantly they do.
   Happy and positive people have far less heart problems and have more chance of survival when sick.
   
   Of course being happy and positive doesn't guarantee a longer life. But it will make the life that you do have so much more worthwhile.

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6. 60

   commoncposted 13 years ago

   I believe stress has been proven to shorten your life span so therefore, if you are happy you are probably not stressed by default so I would say yes. Happy people tend to live longer

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7. 60

   Niki Hamptonposted 13 years ago

   Absolutely. In a physical sense happiness releases better endorphins and minimizes the risk for mental health disorders, excess weight and chronic pain. On a mental level, the more you enjoy life the more you want to get out there and live it. Staying active is the key to staying young.

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8. 57

   stuff4youposted 13 years ago

   there is a mind-body connection. The brain is connected to organs which are connected to other organs.
   
   stress on the body makes can make you less happy.
   
   street on the brain can affect other parts of you too, making you age faster in some ways or more.

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9. 92

   Docmoposted 13 years ago

   I truly believe this as I have seen plenty of evidence in my own practice. A positive outlook enhances recovery, reduces disease, makes us do decisive interventions and take control of our destiny, improves our immune system and makes us seek help assertively. Even if strong scientific evidence isn't yet forthcoming, isn't it better to be happy and positive in this relatively short stay on earth ( when compared to the eons earth has existed) than being  cynical and negative?

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10. 38

    edhanposted 13 years ago

    Yes. Why you may asked?
    
    Personally to me, it is that when you are happy, your body will react to it and function properly. Being happy means you will have no worries as it will not affect your body functions as people who are sad or not happy will indulge themselves with food, wine or alcohol, etc. This will be bad for their bodies and in a way, cut short their lives.
    
    I have heard people in Japan who are living in a carefree lives, are living in their old ages.
    
    Lastly, being happy and having no worries can make you free from sickness or diseases. So, let's be happy!

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11. 63

    kafsoaposted 13 years ago

    Happy people are friendly and tolerant.  They do not hold grudges in their hearts, so they are far from high blood pressure, heart diseases and diseases of the nervous system. They do not show symptoms of aging. More importantly, they have the people's love for them, which always gives them hope and desire in life.
    A smile on your face, won't cost you, but delivers happiness to every body around you

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12. 59

    1lovejojoposted 13 years ago

    Yes if it's nonstress,but if you mean by stress then no

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13. 77

    glorgeousmomposted 13 years ago

    Definitely. Happy people have longer life span than those who are worrisome.

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14. 61

    meantforseaposted 13 years ago

    I think they do. If smiling has positive effects on the body, I imagine that being happy has positive effects on your life.

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15. 69

    sharing the skyposted 13 years ago

    I think there is some truth to this.
    
    On the scientific front, there has been research that demonstrates the mind-body connection and how the state of one influences the other.
    
    On the anecdotal front, we all know how our mood can sour if we're not feeling physically well or if we're very depressed, our energy is sapped and our body starts to suffer. On a bit of of a related limb here, this brings some extra meaning to the term "dying of a broken heart".
    
    This is a good question.

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16. 88

    skisyposted 13 years ago

    That or people who live longer are happier...
    
    It is difficult to establish causality in this case. Though as mentioned, stress can increase a person's chances of a shortened life span. As extreme negative stress can have effects on a person's health, and supposedly increases the likelihood of suffering form problems such as heart disease, hyperthyroidism, depression and more.
    
    But remember don't get stressed about it...cos that would sort of defy the point now, wouldn't it!
    
    Wishing happiness to you all!

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17. 60

    bhsourceposted 13 years ago

    Not just happy people but busy people as well. The less time you have to think about your problems the longer you will live.

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18. 60

    AllensPlace11posted 13 years ago

    I believe happy people do tend to live longer.  However, I believe it also depends on what is behind the scene making them happy. It could be something like drugs and in that case it wouldn't help them live longer.  Then it could be a positive person who has great family and friends and lives a wholesome life and in that case, I would believe they would live longer.  Several variables there.

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19. 70

    biman_rposted 13 years ago

    No necessarily sometimes the opposite also happens. Although when you are happy your health is going to be good and thus will have a better chance to live longer.

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    vrintposted 13 years ago

    I agree with Docmo that happy people tend to look life in a positive.This positive energy strenghens there immune system which has a direct link to your life span.The same thing is iterated by award winning author 'Tony Buzon'.

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21. 81

    carolpposted 13 years ago

    yes...happy...inspired...motivated...healthy...if you are happy...you also laugh...laughing is the best medicine...and keeps you young.

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22. 60

    iamsuperposted 13 years ago

    Yes, they are. but in my opinion, the hardest question to answer is: how to make us feel happy :-))

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23. 60

    ravenlt04posted 13 years ago

    Definitely!  There are many statistics about it, about happy married people living longer, for instance.  Stress is a killer!

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24. 57

    Debola Odukoyaposted 13 years ago

    I believe so. Medically given: a happier person stresses less because being happy implies that less number of body muscles are engaged (less tension). A prolonged state of such status should logically imply improved life expectancy.

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25. 61

    TheSloneGalposted 13 years ago

    I believe they do on average but if you get hit by a bus it doesnt really matter how happy you were. Nut yeah I think happy people tend to be less stressed out (not always but most of the time) so they live longer

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26. 0

    Rob Bellposted 13 years ago

    Generally, yes.
    
    When you are happy you are less stressed and stress kills.

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27. 60

    smcopywriteposted 13 years ago

    study after study does find this statement true. however, define "happy". are these people that are content? live less stressful lives? have what they want or what they need and dont want more? are they selfish? forever giving?
    i suppose i would want to know the definition of the word happy for these people and why they are happy.

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