For decades the health industry has been focusing on what makes us sick. But in the past few years, there has been a change in that thinking. More often doctors are looking at what makes patients better and healthier. And research is supporting that approach. Scientists at Penn State University investigated how positive thinking can lead to healthier habits for patients with heart disease. They found that patients who reported higher positive psychological states were more likely to be physically active, sleep better and take their heart medications; they were also less likely to smoke, compared with patients demonstrating lower levels of positive states. The researchers suspect that people with greater positive well-being may be more motivated and persistent in pursuing healthy behaviors, which improves their long-term health.
Positive emotions help patients with heart disease improve long-term health
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