People who are happier and believe in enjoying life when younger are also healthier as older adults, according to University College London researchers.
Researchers of the study found that people who enjoy life and are happier when they are young are also fitter when they're older, according to a press release. Such people walk more quickly and remain fit even when they age.
After assessing 3,199 men and women aged 60 years or over living in England, researchers noted that happy elderly people also have less trouble getting out of bed, showering and getting dressed.
'The study shows that older people who are happier and enjoy life more show slower declines in physical function as they age," study author Dr Andrew Steptoe said, according to Daily Mail. 'They are less likely to develop impairments in activities of daily living such as dressing or getting in or out of bed, and their walking speed declines at a slower rate than those who enjoy life less."
The researchers conducted in-person interviews to analyze whether participants experienced impairments in their daily activities, such as getting out of bed, getting dressed or bathing. They also tested participants' walking speed with a gait test. The participants were also asked to report how much they enjoyed life by rating statements such as "I enjoy the things that I do," and "I enjoy being in the company of others."
Considering influential factors like age, healthier lifestyle and economic situation, researchers found that the participants who self reported being happier in life were also the ones that enjoyed better physical function as they aged. Unhappy people were 80 percent more likely to develop physical impairments as they aged. Researchers also noted that the walking speed of happy people was better than that of unhappy people of the same age.
"This is not because the happier people are in better health, or younger, or richer, or have more healthy lifestyles at the outset, since even when we take these factors into account, the relationship persists," LiveScience quoted Steptoe as saying.
A previous study conducted by researchers from the same university found that a happy state of mind can lead to a healthier heart and lower levels of stress-inducing chemicals, leading to a healthier and longer life.
The study also found that people belonging to higher economic status and education, and those who were married and working, had higher levels of wellbeing.
