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From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.<\/p>\n
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.<\/p>\n
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.<\/p>\n
Your support makes all the difference.<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRead more<\/span><\/svg><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHaving a sunnier outlook on life doesn\u2019t just improve mood – it can lead to a healthier life for years to come.<\/p>\n
Living more optimistically cut the risk of developing dementia in people\u2019s later years by at least 15 percent, researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health said Wednesday. <\/p>\n
The findings could have a major impact on the future of dementia prevention in the U.S. Roughly 7.2 million are living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease – a figure that is projected to nearly double by 2050, according to the Alzheimer\u2019s Association.<\/p>\n
But adjusting one\u2019s attitude could help turn the tide – or at least become a larger part of clinical efforts to fight dementia, the researchers believe. Optimism lowers the stress hormone cortisol and levels of harmful inflammation in the brain, which have both been linked to dementia.<\/p>\n
\u201cIdentifying optimism as a protective psychosocial factor highlights the potential value of optimism in supporting healthy aging,\u201d they wrote in their related study. <\/p>\n
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Living with more hope could help you to reduce your risk of dementia, Harvard researchers say. Optimism has been found to reduce harmful processes in the brain and body tied to a higher risk (Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
14 years of data<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n The study included more than 9,000 healthy adults who were aged 50 and older, measuring their brain health and assessing their optimism from 2006-2020. <\/p>\n
A third of the participants developed dementia, but those who lived most optimistically were least at risk, the researchers found. <\/p>\n
How optimistic people were was determined using a six-point scale, measuring the least optimistic to most optimistic. Each higher point on the scale was tied to a 15 percent lower risk of dementia, regardless of age, sex, race and health factors. <\/p>\n
Participants\u2019 risk of dementia was determined using an algorithm, which was trained on data from cognitive and physical testing and demographic differences between participants.<\/p>\n
The researchers did not suggest a reason for their observations, but pointed out that people with higher optimism were more educated, less likely to smoke, more likely to engage in physical activity and had fewer health conditions.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough optimism is a complex construct, and it is not clear exactly how it might translate in terms of future dementia prevention initiatives, this is an area which merits future research,\u201d the researchers wrote. \u201cThis is important given the rising prevalence of dementia and the current lack of effective treatments.\u201d<\/p>\n
The findings build on years of research showing the powerful benefits of optimism and boosting brain health in delaying dementia.<\/p>\n
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Experts say having a purpose in life is crucial for mental wellbeing. That\u2019s especially true for older adults, the group at the highest risk of dementia (Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nOne 2022 study from over 150,000 women between the ages of 50 and 79 showed optimism was a quality linked to a longer lifespan and a 2016 study showed older adults who felt more optimistic about their future were less likely to experience decreases in memory, problem solving and judgment. <\/p>\n
The power of purpose<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n Experts have identified several ways that people can be more optimistic – more hopeful and positive – throughout their lives. <\/p>\n
For one, acknowledging just how tough life is can help. <\/p>\n
The most optimistic people acknowledge that life is full of challenges and that they can work through it, Cindy Woolverton, an assistant professor at UTHealth Houston, said in a statement. \u201cThere was a sense of self-efficacy that they have the ability to navigate whatever comes their way.\u201d<\/p>\n
But ensuring that people live with a purpose – whether that\u2019s caring for others or working toward a goal – is also crucial for older adults, she noted. Adults over the age at 65 are at the highest risk for dementia.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important to keep older adults engaged and feel that sense of purpose,\u201d Woolverton said. \u201cDo things that matter to them, follow up with their providers, address health concerns, and engage in healthy behaviors, such as exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Having a sunnier outlook on life doesn\u2019t just improve mood – it can lead to a healthier life for years to come. Living more optimistically cut the risk of developing dementia in people\u2019s later years by at least 15 percent, researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health said Wednesday. The findings could have a major impact on the future of dementia prevention in the U.S. Roughly 7.2 million are living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease – a figure that is projected to nearly double by 2050, according to the Alzheimer\u2019s Association. But adjusting one\u2019s attitude could help turn the tide – or at least become a larger part of clinical efforts to fight dementia, the researchers believe. Optimism lowers the stress hormone cortisol and levels of harmful inflammation in the brain, which have both been linked to dementia. \u201cIdentifying optimism as a protective psychosocial factor highlights the potential value of optimism in supporting healthy aging,\u201d they wrote in their related study. Living with more hop…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14183,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14182"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14182"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14182\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14183"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14182"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seekyourlove.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}