| Does your attitude have a connection to your physical | | | | system, possibly cutting their life expectancy. The |
| and mental health? Up until recently, the answer to that | | | | relationship between diet and vices to physical and |
| was a strong 'No' from a strictly scientific standpoint. | | | | mental health also plays a larger role than outlook and |
| However, according to some recent studies, there | | | | attitude theoretically do. Further study is under way, but |
| may be more to it than the obvious. More or less, | | | | Dr. Ellen Idler has studied the research data and the |
| mental health and personal outlook and philosophy are | | | | implications extensively. She believes that the link is |
| connected. There isn't much scientific data to explain | | | | less of a "mystical" one and more deeply rooted in the |
| how the two are connected, but there is ample proof | | | | principles of cause and effect. According to her theory, |
| of the link. However, what about the body? Will people | | | | the relationship between attitude and longevity is one |
| who perceive themselves as being healthier and more | | | | that is connected to mental health. |
| lively actually be in a better physical state than others? | | | | In her theory, people who have a more negative |
| Unlike the mental health link, there is no definite | | | | outlook are more likely to slip into unhealthy lifestyles. |
| connection made just yet, but there have been some | | | | Whether this is subconscious or not would likely vary |
| findings that point to a possibility. | | | | from case to case, but she believes that negative |
| According to a large-scale study conducted by Duke | | | | attitudes tend to eventually lead to negative states of |
| University, there is a link between attitudes and | | | | mind. It is known that mental health is connected |
| physical well-being. The reports state that the research | | | | closely to physical health, with a number of mental |
| team did their best to eliminate external factors, such | | | | disorders either having physical symptoms or side |
| as mental health issues, vices, and hereditary diseases | | | | effects. While a negative outlook in life may not |
| from the final results. The end result of the report | | | | necessarily be an act of self-destruction on the |
| makes the claim that, if two people with similar states | | | | person's part, it may help push the person into an |
| of physical well-being are taken, the one with a more | | | | increasingly degenerate lifestyle. |
| positive outlook is more likely to have better health in | | | | Further study is likely to be needed before any |
| the long-term. The one that has more fear and anxiety | | | | concrete connections are made. There are currently |
| about his physical condition is more likely to suffer from | | | | two major areas where the studies are liable to |
| some sort of illness or have poorer overall health than | | | | concentrate. First is the theory that a positive outlook is |
| his counterpart. | | | | linked to mental health and that is how it affects the |
| Of course, before taking this into account, people | | | | physical well-being and longevity of a person. Another, |
| should also eliminate possible factors affecting | | | | far less accepted theory, is that a positive outlook |
| longevity and health. For example, people who have | | | | actually can influence the body in the same way that |
| depression or Thanatos complex may perform acts | | | | some people manifest physical symptoms simply by |
| that can permanently compromise their immune | | | | believing that they are ill. |