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
More of Today's Solutions
Finland races ahead in clean energy: coal phase-out arrives four years early
In a remarkable step toward a fossil-free future, Finland has effectively phased out coal as a source of electricity generation—four years ahead of ...
Read MoreAntarctic fossil reveals clues about the oldest known modern bird
At the dramatic close of the Cretaceous Period, 66 million years ago, an asteroid slammed into Earth's Yucatán Peninsula, wiping out most dinosaurs. ...
Read MorePanama enacts landmark legislation giving Nature rights
Panama is among the 25 most megadiverse countries in the world. It is home to big cats like jaguars and ocelots, 6 distinct monkey ...
Read MoreStudy reveals how ketamine fights depression
We have previously reported on a story about ketamine’s potential to help fight depression. Now, we'd like to preset you to some study findings ...
Read More
