4 easy ways to stay optimistic

Developing an attitude of optimism is an important part of enjoying a long life. In order to get some pep in your life as you age, keep the following points in mind.

There have been countless tests and extensive research on how an optimistic attitude helps create a fulfilling life while a pessimistic view tends to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. One research team found that out of a group of people who were ageing, 50 percent of the optimists were still alive 20 years later while close to three quarters of the pessimists had passed away. In fact, those who looked on the bright side of life lived seven and a half years longer than the pessimists.

Loving your life, research shows, is a lifesaver. Scientists have found that an optimistic attitude does more than put a smile on your face and make you good company. Studies show that it cuts your risk of getting sick when exposed to the common cold virus, reduces your odds of developing heart disease by 50 percent and increases the likelihood that you'll recover from a heart attack. You'll also probably live longer after a cancer diagnosis, and even have fewer everyday health complaints such as upset tummies, intestinal distress and breathing problems.

Staying happy and feeling in control in the face of life's challenges builds what experts call stress resiliency. This is a powerful health tool that you tap into whenever you take time to laugh, get in touch with your spiritual beliefs, or get together with loved ones. Without this near-magical force field, your mind and body can become steeped in stress hormones that lead to depression, fearfulness, and a higher risk of everything from colds and flu to Alzheimer's disease and heart disease. It can even make conditions like glaucoma, rosacea and diabetes worse.

Even if you're not a confirmed optimist, avoiding pessimism could help you avoid chronic stress and health problems. This is what a study found when researchers interviewed 224 middle-age and older adults. They found that those who agreed with statements like "If something can go wrong for me, it will" felt more stressed and anxious a year later than those who were neutral. Developing an attitude of neutrality if not optimism will go a long ay to reducing debilitating anxiety.

Changing a pessimistic mind-set into an optimistic view of life will help your health and can even help you live longer. These 4 tips will help you take the view that the glass is always half full.