Researchers have discovered that optimistic older women have a higher likelihood of maintaining some physical abilities as they age.
Mobility and Optimism Among Older Women
As part of the "Longitudinal Associations Between Optimism and Objective Measures of Physical Functioning in Women" study, scientists form the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health asked almost 6,000 women, who were all over 65 years old, to finish a test that looks into their level of positivity. The women were also assessed for their mobility standing up from a chair, grip strength ,and walking speed at four varying times across six years. These women were recruited from 40 clinical centers across the US.
At the start of the study, those who had higher levels of optimism had a higher likelihood of having better standing mobility and grip strength compared to those with lower levels of optimism. However, optimistic older women were not found to have a faster walking speed.
Throughout the study, women who were more optimistic saw slower decline rates in walking time and standing mobility. However, the same was not observed in grip strength.
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A Positive Mindset Is Key
Such findings suggest that mindset changes and cultivating the tendency for a more positive outlook could improve one's odds of staying mobile in old age. Dr. Hayami Koga, an author of the study, explains that individuals who are more optimistic may have a higher likelihood of staying physically active and adapting other healthy behaviors that could aid in physical functioning maintenance.
The doctor notes that more optimistic people may also have a higher inclination for regular social engagements, such as volunteering or participating in religious gatherings. This could help them remain active.
Dr. Koga also adds that there could be neurobiological explanations. For one, individuals with higher levels of optimism could have healthier immune, lipid, or autonomic functioning that could result in better physical function as time passes.
Moreover, when optimistic individuals are in the face of a stressful situation, they could also have more effective coping. Consequently, they may experience less worry and anxiety. Having elevated levels of stress has been found to affect how effectively the immune system of the body can combat pathogens.
Though the connection between positivity and health remains unclear, the scientists propose various theories. For one, individuals who are more positive could have better protection against the inflammatory effects of stress. Though brief stress bursts could be helpful in some situations, prolonged stress hormone release could result in inflammation.
On top of this, optimism could also aid individuals in making better general life and health decisions. Having a positive mindset has also been associated with higher resilience, which enables individuals to more easily overcome adversity.
Dr. Koga notes that, though the study only examined optimism's effects on women, it can be expected that similar links can be observed among men.
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