Why do happy people live longer

Compared with those who reported no enjoyment, risk of dying from any cause was reduced 17 percent among people who reported enjoying life on two assessments. The risk fell 24 percent in those reporting enjoying life all three times, the findings showed. More women than men said they had high enjoyment of life, as did people with partners. Well-educated, richer, younger and employed people were also more likely to report high enjoyment, the study found.

Steptoe acknowledged that the study had limitations. For one thing, serious illness could account for lack of enjoyment and hastened death, although the research team tried to take that into account. To Pressman, the existing research taken together settles the question: It does help to be happy. That's a puzzle researchers are now trying to solve. Pressman and other researchers think happiness has specific benefits for the body that cannot be chalked up solely to healthy lifestyle choices, like exercising, or the absence of negative emotional factors, like chronic stress.

Scientists already know that negative emotions can cause a cascade of biological reactions that harm the body. Chronic stress increases inflammation, and inflammation has been linked to a host of health problems.

So it's not a stretch to think that happiness, too, may lead to changes in the body's systems that influence certain diseases. But what, exactly, does happiness do?

How does a positive disposition affect somebody's health? And, vitally, what are the best ways to get happier in a way that makes a difference? Pressman isn't sure yet, but she's investigating one idea.

And their heart rates didn't increase as much in response to the stress of the injection, either. We're still trying to unpack why. Mandy Oaklander. TIME Health. TIME Labs. The Goods. TIME Shop. Press Room. The Most Influential People. American Voices. The Breakdown. Finding Home. The Influencers. The group who spent their time laughing saw their circulation improve as though they'd been exercising while the other group experienced reduced flow.

In addition, when subjected to stressful events afterwards -- sending stress hormones skyrocketing -- the people who spent their time laughing recovered much more quickly, their heart rates fast returning to normal [source: Tufts University ]. So pop in one or two of those DVDs the doctor gave you: That 5 mile 8 kilometer run can wait until tomorrow.

Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Life Science. Inside the Mind. Do happy people live longer lives? Scientific Studies Perhaps one of the most convincing studies linking happiness to longevity is based on -- of all people -- a group of nuns.

Do pets make you happy? Are men or women happier?