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(NaturalNews) Do you see the glass half full or half empty? We now have proof that positive thinking will add years to our lives. A study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings has revealed the difference between optimists and pessimists is around 12 years of life! The Mayo team began by examining personality tests performed in the 1960s. Then they followed these individuals for around 30 years to find out how their lives played out to scientifically measure the relationship between attitude and longevity.

The conclusion: optimists are far more likely to live longer than pessimists.

Dr. Toshihiko Maruta, the chief researcher of this study stated, "The important thing is that we've proven the relationship scientifically, and made a correlation between how people see the world when they're young and how they turn out 30 years later."

The other piece of valuable information taken from this study is that being an optimist or a pessimist is not always dependent on one's environment, circumstances and stressors. While of course these factors play a role, there are many people in fantastic situations with plenty of money and no recognizable stress that are miserable. Then there are those whose lives are profoundly stressful that seem to be incredibly happy and optimistic.

Being optimistic is not just about living a long life. It is about enjoying life and living it to the fullest. Having an optimistic outlook is imperative to feeling young and free.

So what is the difference between an optimist and a pessimist?

* Optimists see setbacks as temporary, changeable, and even a chance to learn and grow. They are motivated to take action. Non-optimists tend to look at setbacks as permanent and hopeless.

* Optimists explain positive events as having happened because of them.. if they get a new job it is because they are good at what they do. A pessimist views good things that happen to them as lucky breaks or a fluke.

* Optimists are not self deprecating. For example, if they didn't follow their diet for a week, they might say, "I had a lot going on this week. I didn't plan my time too well. I'll have to do better next week." A pessimist blames him or herself for everything and never gets away with anything. If they missed out on their diet for a week they might say "I have no self-discipline and will never be the weight I desire. I am a loser!"

If you are one of those self blaming, negative pessimists... don't worry. You won't fall dead tomorrow and you can become an optimist with a little belief and work!

Martin E. P. Seligman, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania has done many studies on optimism and says that people can learn to adopt more optimistic outlooks. While I have always been fairly optimistic, I certainly continue to work on being more positive. There are always ways to open our minds and become more in touch with the greatness of life.

Here are a few ways to begin making that change:

* When something positive happens in your life, ask yourself whether you are giving yourself credit for making it happen? Think of all your strengths that have contributed to your success.

* When negative events occur, think of the extenuating circumstances that could have contributed to this happening. Don't be so quick to blame yourself. And if you realize that you have created this event, think about what you can do differently next time. See this as a way to learn a lesson.

* Imagine what future possibilities could be on there way. There are infinite possibilities in life and you should expect the best!

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