Happiness Lengthens Life

August 5, 2008

Happiness does not heal, but happiness protects against falling ill.

As a result, happy people live longer. The size of the effect on

longevity is comparable to that of smoking or not.

This is concluded from an analysis of 30 follow-up studies published

in a recent issue of the Journal of Happiness Studies.

There have been more reports of happy people living longer, but for

long it was unclear whether happiness causes longevity, since it can

also be that good health add both to happiness and longevity.

Scientists assess causality using long-term follow-up studies, taking

initial health into account. The results of such studies seemed

contradictory; several studies found the expected causal effect of

happiness on longevity, but other studies found no effect and some

observed even earlier death among the happy. The analysis of 30

follow-up studies showed that the difference is in the people under

investigation.

Happiness does not lengthen the life of seriously ill people, but it

does prolong the life of healthy people. Happiness appears to protect

against falling ill. One of the mechanisms behind that effect seems

to be that chronic unhappiness causes stress, which on its turn

reduces immune response.

Another possible mechanism is that happiness adds to the chance of

adopting a healthy life style.

An implication of this finding is that public health can also be

promoted by policies that aim at greater happiness for a greater

number.

Journal reference:

Veenhoven et al. Healthy happiness: effects of happiness on physical

health and the consequences for preventive health care. Journal of

Happiness Studies, 2008; 9 (3): 449 DOI: 10.1007/s10902-006-9042-1

Adapted

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