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Science/nature/environment

Pessimists die younger

(43 Posts)
thatbags Thu 17-Nov-16 08:08:29

According to a Finnish study, pessimistic people have a raised risk of coronary heart disease, about 120% more likely to die of it even after other risk factors were taken into account.

Only one study, but...

gillybob Thu 17-Nov-16 08:10:02

I had better start putting my affairs in order.

Alima Thu 17-Nov-16 08:18:51

I knew there was a reason to look on the dark side,,,,,,,

Anniebach Thu 17-Nov-16 08:37:34

As a Christian I will receive my telegram from queenie when I am 100

As a Labour Party member I am doomed now

gillybob Thu 17-Nov-16 08:43:59

It would be hard for anyone to be much more "Christian" than my late grandma . She made 99 ! Bless her she always said she "didn't want a Bloomin' telegram off Queenie" she got her wish. smile

Anniebach Thu 17-Nov-16 08:46:55

Aw Gilly, bless her smile

felice Thu 17-Nov-16 09:28:05

My Mum is the worst pessimist ever, she is 97.

gillybob Thu 17-Nov-16 09:33:45

There's hope for me yet then felice smile

Having been kicked in the teeth so many times it's hard to be optimistic and I always think if I look on the black side then there is always a tiny chance I might be pleasantly surprised, whereas if I was optimistic.......I would only ever be disappointed. confused

TerriBull Thu 17-Nov-16 09:58:19

I tend to veer towards pessimism, I blame my parents for this. I am nevertheless optimistic about being pessimistic because life can only get better for a pessimist smile

TerriBull Thu 17-Nov-16 09:59:31

Meaning things are rarely as bad as I anticipate them to be, well most of the time anyway.

Teetime Thu 17-Nov-16 10:01:23

I'm on optimist generally but sometimes worry about things that might go wrong - I tend to keep this to myself be very aware of the 'fallout' from pessimists.

sussexoldbag Thu 17-Nov-16 10:42:27

My Dad is a pessimist ....and he's coming up to 97.

Nelliemoser Thu 17-Nov-16 11:16:36

Oh Gillybob I know exactly what you mean. If you think things can't get much worse you may just get pleasantly surprised.

What are we like. wink
I wonder if being Finn's they really don't ever get enough sunshine and suffer from a national S.A.D.

Shortlegs Thu 17-Nov-16 11:47:03

Being a pessimist is good. Optimists carry the risk of being disappointed when things don't go right. Pessimists, however, can be pleasantly surprised when things go right!

gillybob Thu 17-Nov-16 11:49:07

Exactly Shortlegs well that makes three of us now. You, me and Nelliemoser

Pessimists of the world unite today...... it might all end tomorrow grin

Legs55 Thu 17-Nov-16 11:56:52

Glass half full person - my DM's 87 & most of my female relatives lived into their 90s so hope for me yet - only another 39 years for Telegram (from King I presume!!!!) sunshine

Greyduster Thu 17-Nov-16 11:59:34

That's me b******d then! My glass has always been more than half empty. DH, On the other hand, has more than enough optimism for both of us.

gillybob Thu 17-Nov-16 12:05:22

That's 4 of us miserable cows now Greyduster.

Pessimism is the way forward.

gillybob Thu 17-Nov-16 12:05:58

My glass never had anything in it in the first place !

Jane10 Thu 17-Nov-16 12:07:22

Pessimists may die younger but with the satisfaction of knowing that they were right all along! 'I told you I was ill!' (Spike Milligan)

Luckygirl Thu 17-Nov-16 12:22:36

But I read an article recently that said that pessimistic people suffer less from depression because they are seldom disappointed! Swings and roundabouts eh!

annan Thu 17-Nov-16 13:58:57

That sounds right: stress and worry are known to suppress the immune system and I suppose pessimistic people worry more.

gillybob Thu 17-Nov-16 14:06:18

I have a horrible way of thinking that good and bad always balances itself out, which makes me worry when the occasional good thing does happen, for the fear of what bad thing might be lurking around the corner. I know I am screwed up.

Gaggi3 Thu 17-Nov-16 15:14:48

I had a friend whose MiL, when asked how she was, replied, "All but dead." She lived to her 90's.

Elegran Thu 17-Nov-16 15:52:41

I have heard an extra Beatitude quoted, "Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for he will not be disappointed"