The Bright Side Wins

It's not cockeyed to be an optimist. In fact, looking on the bright side can help keep you feeling strong and steady.

One study after another has found that an optimistic attitude can help people avoid illness as they age.
But the benefits of an upbeat attitude don't stop there.
Even if something bad does happen -- say, a broken hip -- optimists are more likely to bounce back, while others may slide into frailty.

So if anyone gives you a hard time about always looking on the bright side, shrug them off.
And enjoy the last laugh.

RealAge Benefit: Taking care of your emotional health and well-being can make your RealAge up to 16 years younger.

Positive thinking appears to protect your health in several ways. For starters, it enhances immune system function, so stress and disease are less likely to run you down.
It also encourages independence and an outgoing attitude, which in turn fend off depression and anxiety.
Still, nobody feels like Mary Sunshine every moment.

So when you do find yourself down, try making a list of what's bothering you -- whether it's two things or 10 -- and then tuck it away for a bit.

When you come back to it later, with some luck, what was bugging you will have cleared up or seem simpler to solve.

easier said den done!