The Nutrient: Optimism, optimal heart health, and Q-tips
Research
Optimism, lifestyle, and longevity
This study found that over a period of 26 years, those with higher levels of optimism lived longer. The optimistic group was more likely to live into their nineties, as well.
I'm pessimistic by default, probably because it's a safety mechanisms to try to avoid disappointment. That said, I do think you can cultivate optimism if you're interested in living longer, or in becoming more socially attractive than all the other pessimistic guys at the bar.
All you have to do is turn that frown upside down, look on the bright side, and live, laugh, and love. Better? Of course not. Your best bet for reinforcing optimism is to prove to your subconscious that positive future events are possible. Envision yourself with the best possible outcome, then take the first step toward making it a reality. Predicting positive outcomes has done wonders for my mindset, and helped me get through medical school at a time when my confidence was lower than a snake's belly in a wagon rut.
News
A dismal 0.45% of American adults scored 100 on Life’s Essential 8–a cardiovascular health score based on eight components for ideal heart health, including diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep duration, body mass index, blood lipids, blood glucose and blood pressure.
Article
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Business
Removing earwax creates dry skin, which we then want to scratch with — of course — a Q-tip.
Words of the week
"Hara hachi bu"
Member discussion