Can Happiness Lead to Longer Life?

Maybe.

A recent study conducted in the UK asked 3,800 participants ages 52-79 to log their levels of anxiety, happiness, etc. at four times during the day. Participants who reported feeling typically content or happy at the beginning of the five-year test period were up to 35% less likely to die during this test period.

Test participants were divided into three comparable groups of happy, medium-happy, and least happy. After 5 years, 4% of the happiest group had died, compared to 5% of the medium happy group, and 7% in the least happy group.

These findings as well as other studies like it suggest that the emotional well-being of older people can have direct health benefits. These may range from lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol to longer life.