As reported by Yahoo! News, the study, which was published in the journal Psychology and Aging, found that pessimistic people were at lower risks for both disability and early death, and researchers attributed the findings to pessimistic people tending to be more careful in their daily lives, hence lowering their risks.
“Pessimism about the future may encourage people to live more carefully, taking health and safety precautions,” lead researcher Frieder Lang was quoted as saying.
The study’s researchers interviewed seniors aged 65 and older in Germany, and when asked how they expect their lives will be in five years’ time, 43 per cent of respondents underestimated their future, 32 per cent overestimated their future, and only 25 per cent were able to accurately forecast what their future would look like.
Are you a generally optimistic or pessimistic person? Do you agree with the study’s researchers that being pessimistic is more likely to keep you from living in a nursing care or Alzheimer’s Care facility? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below: