Penn State Research Proves Positivity Can Lead to a Longer Life

By Kyle Dowling kyle.dowling@mstarsnews.com | Jun 14, 2015 11:20 AM EDT

The phrase "stay positive" is often thrown around in a fashion that makes it seems unimportant or redundant, but according to new research from Penn State University, it looks like it might actually be beneficial to your health. New studies claim that having a brighter outlook on the world can lead to a longer life in the future.

So, if you find "always look on the bright side of life" and "stay positive" as throwaway phrases, you might want to pick those up out of the trash.

...and then wash your hands.

Anyway, it's being reported that reacting "positively to stressful situations may benefit your long-term health," according to The Huffington Post.

How so?

In the Health Psychology journal, author Nancy Sin notes, "A person's frequency of stress may be less related to their inflammation than [their] responses to stress." Which, of course, means that the way we react is what appears to be taking a toll on our lives.

"It is how a person reacts to stress that is important ... Positive emotions, and how they can help people in the event of stress, have really been overlooked."

Therefore, perhaps it's important not only to try and stress less in life, but when we do, take a look at how you are reacting to it. Or, in other words, think before you act.

Need some help? Here you go:

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