People with the highest levels of optimism live 11–15% longer than those with the lowest scores. This was revealed in research from a large, long-term population study by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), led by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Boston University
Even after accounting for lifestyle, health status and socioeconomic factors, optimism remains independently associated with longer life. This invites a broader understanding of longevity. Not only as the result of what we do, but of how the body responds to the way we experience and engage with life.
What the Research Shows
Long-term population studies following participants for decades show a consistent association between optimism and longevity:
- Optimistic individuals are 1.5–1.7 times more likely to reach exceptional longevity, defined as living beyond the age of 85
- In a cohort of nearly 160,000 women, the most optimistic participants lived 5.4% longer and were around 10% more likely to live beyond age 90
- These findings remained significant after adjusting for smoking, physical activity, BMI, chronic disease and socioeconomic status
In this context, optimism is not simply a psychological preference. It functions as a biological influence.
This view is strongly supported by Laura Kubzansky, Professor of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Harvard, whose work has shown that optimism is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. As she notes:
“Optimism is not about ignoring reality. It is about how people adapt, regulate stress, and sustain behaviours that support health over time.”
The Physiology Behind Optimism
Optimism is not experienced solely in the mind. It is reflected in biological systems that regulate stress, inflammation and long-term resilience.
Positive psychological states influence systems central to ageing:
- Stress regulation Lower long-term cortisol exposure and improved autonomic balance help reduce chronic inflammation
- Cardiovascular and immune resilience Healthier vascular function and stronger immune responses support long-term healthspan
- Behavioural continuity Greater consistency in movement, nutrition, sleep and preventive care over time
At the centre of all these systems lies oxygen.
Oxygen and Ageing
Every cell relies on oxygen to generate energy, repair damage and maintain function. Chronic stress, inflammation and vascular dysfunction can impair oxygen delivery and utilisation. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be an effective way to improve oxygen absorption and utilisation and can improve mental clarity and cognitive function.
This is why mindset belongs in the same conversation as physiology. Optimism and oxygen can work in perfect harmony together and enable you to live healthier for longer.
Final Thought
“Longevity is not created by a single intervention. It emerges when mindset, biology and daily choices align. Optimism opens the door. Oxygen gives the body what it needs to walk through it.”
— Dr. Katrin Dreissigacker
