Optimism May Help Women Stay Physically Stronger with Age

A positive outlook might help women slow down physical decline as they get older, according to a new study.

This research, led by Harvard and published in JAMA Psychiatry on March 20, 2024, looked at data from nearly 6,000 postmenopausal women, with an average age of 70, who were part of the Women’s Health Initiative. These women joined the study between 1993 and 1998 and were followed for six years. At the start, researchers measured their optimism using questionnaires. Their physical abilities were tested four times during the study, including grip strength, a timed walk, and how many times they could stand up from a chair in 15 seconds without using their hands.

The study found that women with higher optimism had better grip strength and could stand up from a chair more times compared to those with lower optimism. They also experienced slower declines in walking speed and chair stands over the six years. While the exact reason for this link is unclear, researchers think that optimistic people might be more active, social, and eat healthier.