We often hear that to live longer, we need to eat clean, move daily, and get quality sleep. But an often-overlooked factor might be just as important—your mindset.
In this blog, we will explore the power of a positive mindset and how we can learn and practice refocusing our daily thoughts, ultimately changing our biology and improving our health and longevity.
Let’s take a look at how the power of a positive mindset can impact aging and longevity.
A landmark study from Yale University found that people with a positive attitude toward aging lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those who viewed aging negatively. That’s a bigger boost to lifespan than quitting smoking or exercising regularly. 1
Positive beliefs help lower stress, encourage healthy behaviors, and even affect us on a biological level. For example, a study published in Health Psychology found that people with a strong sense of purpose had lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone linked to inflammation and premature aging.2
But it doesn’t stop there. A 2018 study from researchers at Harvard and Boston University found that people with higher levels of optimism had longer telomeres—the protective caps on DNA that naturally shorten as we age. Longer telomeres are associated with a lower risk of age-related diseases like heart conditions, cancer, and cognitive decline.3
Optimism is considered a mindset characterized by expecting positive outcomes and believing in a favorable future, with the belief that a person believes they have control over important events in their lives. Some studies have demonstrated that individuals with optimistic perspectives may experience lower rates of chronic diseases and increased longevity. Research has also found that optimism is associated with people living approximately 11 to 15 percent longer. Those who were optimistic were more likely to reach the age of 85 or beyond. These findings suggest that optimism may be linked to greater longevity among older adults.3
This in itself is a positive incentive to enjoy life, support others, and hopefully roll out the red carpet for happiness and longevity.
Though it might sound silly to talk to yourself, let’s face it, we all do it. One of the main things we need to remember is that every single one of our cells listens to what we are saying to ourselves as well as what we are saying out loud.
You can’t prevent unhelpful thoughts from popping into your head. But you can control how you respond to them. We need to reframe negative self-talk.
According to Psychology Today, “Becoming aware of your thinking patterns is the first step.” Stop and listen to what you are saying and how you are responding to a situation. Refraining from being negative is important because we may start to believe what our negative inner voice is telling us. Remember, we are not perfect, nor should we strive for perfectionism. Also, don’t play the loop of your past mistakes over and over — let it go and move ahead.4
Setting and achieving personal goals fosters a sense of accomplishment and motivation. Whether your goals are related to career, fitness, or personal development, having clear objectives can help you stay focused and motivated. Goal setting is considered an important factor in developing a growth mindset.
Identify those long-term goals. Be creative and don’t be afraid to write them down or share them with others. Looking forward to taking a chance and making changes that will bring you closer to accomplishing what you set out to do and provide satisfaction that you are working on bringing your dreams to life. It may be as simple as planning a vacation to a different destination each year or perhaps starting your own business.
A sense of purpose and gratitude can profoundly impact both physical and mental health. Setting realistic goals and practicing gratitude helps cultivate a positive mindset and improves overall life satisfaction.6
Improving your physical and mental health always includes exercise. Regular activity naturally boosts your mood. Aim for 30 minutes of walking, biking, or gardening most days. Being physically active greatly benefits your overall health. Keeping your body in good physical shape is important. It helps us to support healthy blood glucose metabolism, healthy fat metabolism, as well as support our overall health.
But there’s also something great about how you feel when you are engaging in physical activity. There are some immediate benefits, such as people who walk in their neighborhood, bike with friends, and those who garden, tend to enjoy that time with nature, with no distractions. Also, you are able to reap the rewards of feeling accomplished, knowing that you did something great for yourself while supporting a positive mindset.
We can make a difference in supporting our body and mitochondria on a cellular level. Carbon 60 (C60) is one of the most powerful antioxidants on the planet, designed to promote a balanced immune response and help your cells function at their best. To learn more about this super antioxidant and the science that supports its role in combating oxidative stress and healthy aging, check this out: shopc60.com/research.
Caring for health involves maintaining both mental and physical well-being. Positive changes can begin with individual actions. Practices such as focusing on positivity, expressing gratitude, and communicating a positive perspective may influence well-being. Research indicates that optimism and a positive outlook can contribute to healthy aging.
Because oxidative stress may affect how we feel over time, some people explore antioxidant support. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether a supplement like C60 may be appropriate to support your overall energy and wellness.
Why not start today? In fact, let’s all start now!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary.
Ken Swartz, MS is the co-founder, Chairman Emeritus, and former Chief Science Officer at
C60 Power, a health and wellness company committed to delivering the highest quality Carbon 60 products available.
Ken earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Colorado at Denver and a Bachelor of Science in
Economics from Arizona State University.’
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