Emotions, Attitude & How Aging Is Affected

Anger is another big herald of health problems. Those with poorly managed or unexpressed anger report almost twice the number of ailments than their peers, including hypertension, heart problems and a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders.

Why do harmful emotions affect us so?

According to the Journal of Social Psychology, humans have a "negativity bias" on a molecular level in the brain. We naturally look at negative stimuli more than positive, and we also tend to assign greater value and complexity to negative emotions and events. Imagine the brain using complex high definition television technology to process negative stimuli while only processing positive events on an old black & white TV. Negativity requires more cognitive function and uses more neurological “resources."

The Good

Not all hope is lost, however. Awareness of your negativity bias is the first step towards combating it: The next time you feel yourself lingering on unpleasant emotions or wallowing in troubled times, force yourself to do something else instead. Save your neurological resources for happier things!

You can also teach yourself the art of psychological wellness.

For example, people who keep a "gratitude journal" are less likely to have a relapse of chronic conditions, even heart attacks. Simply take time each day to record three to five things you are grateful for. This has been documented by the University of Connecticut. Another study from the University of California-Davis reports similar findings, with happy, positive people getting more sleep and suffering fewer colds, allergies and other ailments.

As for woes and betrayals you simply can't avoid, you should know that making a habit of forgiveness can lower your blood pressure, boost your immune system and lead to a longer life overall. During the Stanford Forgiveness Project, where more than 250 adults were taught meditative techniques and stress management to let go of their pasts, a good 27 percent reported fewer health problems afterward. Happiness translated directly to health.

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