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| Illustration/Medicalxpress |
In the study, researchers studied more
than 1,000 patients with coronary heart disease for more than five
years. They asked the patients about 10 specific positive emotions
such as "interested". "proud", "enthusiasm"
and "inspired".
The researchers also noted physical
activity, quality of sleep, medication, and consumption of cigarettes
and alcohol of the patients.
They found that patients who have a
positive psychological state tend to be more physically active, sleep
better and do the treatment for their heart, and reduce smoking,
compared to patients who think negatively.
“Negative emotions and depression are
known to have harmful effects on health, but it is less clear how
positive emotions might be health-protective,” said Nancy Sin,
postdoctoral fellow at Pennsylvania State University in the US
Nevertheless, he noted, positive emotions associated with healthy habits, which can reduce the risk of heart problems and premature death later in life.
The researchers did not find correlation between
positive emotions and using alchohol.
“Efforts to sustain or enhance
positive emotions may be promising for promoting better health
behaviours,” the study said.
The result of the new study appeared in the journal
of Psychosomatic Medicine.
Source: Indian Express