POSITIVE THINKING

POSITIVE THINKING MIGHT EARN YOU A LONGER LIFE
Studies find optimism may be the best prescription for your heart

Generally it's true that optimistic people are happier, healthier, and more fun to be around—when they're not annoying the crap out of you.
Before you punch your upsettingly upbeat coworker or friend in the throat for his rose-colored outlook on life, think again. He'll probably live longer than you.
In a recent study by doctors from the University of Rochester Medical Center, men who believed they were at a lower-than-normal risk for cardiovascular disease suffered fewer heart attacks and strokes than their less-cheery counterparts.
The 15-year study asked 2,816 adult men, all between the ages of 35 and 75 and with no baseline genetic history of heart disease, how they would rate their risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 5 years when compared to people of the same age.
Maybe ignorance is bliss. Researchers also measured whether optimistic perceptions of risk might protect people from fear-related coping behaviors—like over-eating, over-boozing, and avoiding the doctor—when told their heart was at risk.
While doctors promote the benefits of positive thought, there are preventative measures you can take to put your heart in your hands: Work out to keep a healthy heart rate; get outside; eat heart-healthy foods like nuts and oatmeal; and keep your cool when times get tough.
And stop getting angry at your office "happy guy." He could teach you a thing or two.