According to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, optimistic women are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those who are depressed. They are also less likely to die prematurely compared to those with a hostile and cynical temperament.
These results are based on American researchers who followed 97 252 postmenopausal women, aged 50 to 79, for a period of eight years.
At the beginning of the study, participants responded to a survey to measure their level of optimism. None had heart disease.
After eight years, optimistic women were 9% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease and 14% less likely to die prematurely.