“Don’t worry, be happy” could be the best free advice there is for enhancing wellbeing. There’s a growing body of evidence to show that if you have a contented and positive disposition you are more likely to be healthier and live longer than those who are often dissatisfied and negative. For example, in a study that surveyed 1500 males over a period of 80 years, “expecting the worst” was linked to a 25 per cent higher risk of dying before age 65 (Mayo Clinic Proceedings75 (2000): 133-4).

Elderly Dutch people were evaluated over a nine-year period and those who were optimistic had a lower death rate (Archives of General Psychiatry61 (2004): 1126-35). Older optimists don’t take a gloomy view of ageing and are more likely to report relatively few limitations due to physical health and few problems with work or daily activities; this is coupled with feeling peaceful and energetic most of the time. Apparently, they cope successfully with the stresses of ageing and live about seven-and-a-half years longer than pessimists (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 83 (2002): 261-70).

Negative emotions include hostility and hopelessness. Irrespective of socioeconomic status and health behaviours, cynical hostility is linked to a high level of self-reported symptoms (Psychosomatic Medicine 66 (2004): 572-7). In other words, hostile people tend to have more health complaints. Hopelessness is considered to have a negative impact on emotional and physical health as well as longevity and, not surprisingly, is associated with depression and suicide.

A four-year study also showed that hopelessness specifically contributed to an accelerated progression of atherosclerosis, or clogged arteries (Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology17 (1997): 1490-95). Sustained anxiety is also linked to atherosclerosis; and hopelessness increases the risk of high blood pressure. Here are some examples of associations between optimism and specific diseases.

Cancer

In a survey of 14 European countries, complementary and alternative medicine was found to be popular among cancer patients. The majority used these therapies to increase the body’s ability to fight cancer or improve physical and emotional wellbeing, and many seemed to have benefited (Annals of Oncology 16 (2005): 655-63).

My experience is that cancer patients do not discontinue their medical treatments but want to do as much as they can to improve their survival. The real benefit of natural therapies may be in providing hope, optimism and participation in wellbeing improvement through health-enhancing behaviours.

Heart disease

As we know, heart disease is the major cause of death in developed countries. Medical researchers have compiled evidence suggesting that positive emotional factors may reduce the risk of heart disease (Psychosomatic Medicine 67 (2005): S47-53).

First, you need a level of mental energy that will help you overcome negative thinking and chronic stress. Second, you need to develop flexibility so you are not continually stressed by the ups and downs of everyday life. Your heart rate and blood pressure will go up if you overreact to every occurrence that doesn’t go according to plan. You will also produce more stress hormones and these affect sleep as well as glucose metabolism.

Other surveys show that a positive outlook improves recovery rates from bypass surgery and other procedures (such as catheterisation), which means an optimistic attitude not only prevents heart disease but also benefits people having treatment for heart problems. Over an 11-year period, cheerful “heart” patients are 20 per cent more likely to be alive than pessimistic patients (International Journal of Cardiology 100 (2005): 213-6). In addition, those who frequently use “I”, “me” and “my” have more heart attacks, which suggests that empathy and compassion are good for your health.