In a recent study, researchers found optimistic people may contribute to the health of their partners.
They found that having an optimistic partner may stave off the risk factors leading to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and cognitive decline as people grow old together.
An optimistic partner may encourage eating a salad or work out together to develop healthier lifestyles. For example, if you quit smoking or start exercising, your partner is close to following suit within a few weeks and months.
In the study, the team found that when you look at the risk factors for what predicts things like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, a lot of them are things like living a healthy lifestyle.
They followed couples from the Health and Retirement Study for up to eight years.
The researchers found a potential link between being married to an optimistic person and preventing the onset of cognitive decline, thanks to a healthier environment at home.
The research also indicates that when couples recall shared experiences together, richer details from the memories emerge.
With all of its benefits, is optimism something that can be prescribed? While there is a heritable component to optimism, the team says there is some evidence to suggest that it’s a trainable quality.
The team says everyone benefits from a healthy dose of optimism from their partner. For the glass-is-half-empty people, a partner can still quench their thirst. For the glass-is-half-full people? Their cup runneth over.
If you care about Alzheimer’s and dementia, please read studies about a new smell test for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and COVID-19 and findings of a better way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and your health, please see recent studies about a new drug for Alzheimer’s disease prevention found safe and effective and results showing that changes in the eye may show early warning for Alzheimer’s disease.
The study is published in the International Journal of Behavioral Development. One author of the study is William Chopik.
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