Positive Thinking Protects Against Illness, Studies Show

Optimism as a Weapon Against Disease

Is positive thinking a luxury only rich societies afford, or is it a defense mechanism for those who need it most? A study conducted on over 18,000 people from 68 countries reveals optimism in a completely new light.

It turns out that in the very places where diseases decimate populations, people most strongly believe that humanity is heading in a good direction. “One way people prosper when conditions are risky and challenging is by adopting a positive perspective on the future,” explains Brian Haas, the lead author of the study and a professor of psychology at the University of Georgia.

Where Do Most, and Least, Optimists Live?

Where exactly do the biggest optimists reside? In Angola, Vietnam, and Venezuela, people most frequently predict that the future will be better than the present. Conversely, in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and South Korea, the prevailing belief is that things will be more or less the same a thousand years from now.

Poles count as one of the most pessimistic nations—they mostly believe the future will be worse than the present.

Why do those who statistically have the most reasons for pessimism look to the future with hope? Scientists suggest this represents an evolutionary adaptation. Positive thinking translates into tangible health benefits.

The Source of Optimism: optimism and health

“Evidence shows that optimism and positive thinking protect people against various ailments, such as cardiovascular diseases and some mental disorders,“ emphasizes Haas, quoted in the university’s press release. “Hope and optimism significantly influence our ability to heal.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers who had a higher level of optimism less frequently suffered from burnout and depression. So, perhaps positive thinking isn’t naivety, but a survival mechanism—something that allows societies to endure despite a high risk of disease and to react effectively to epidemics.

The Legacy of Hope

Haas takes this interpretation further. He suggests that optimism can spread through society like a viral infection, only with a positive outcome.

“If a situation is truly difficult, and I interact with someone who says, ‘Everything will be fine,’ that can help me cope with my problems.” Haas believes that optimism spreads through society this way and is even passed down to subsequent generations.

Optimism: A Learned Element of Species Survival

Optimism is more than just an attitude. The study suggests it represents a species strategy, encoded in the genes and culture of those societies that needed to learn how to survive in the toughest conditions. This raises a compelling question: Did we—residents of the affluent Global North—lose this capacity for believing in a better tomorrow somewhere along the way?

If optimism stems from difficult conditions, it could indicate that the comfort and stability of wealthy nations might not strongly favor the development of this particular trait. In short, optimism and health go hand in hand.

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Read this article in Polish: Pozytywne myślenie chroni przed chorobami. Pokazują to badania