A positive attitude can do wonders for your health. A pleasant demeanor can not only reduce your risk of heart disease, but it can also strengthen your immune system and help fight off disease. In fact, researchers have gone so far as to say that a positive attitude can add as much as 7.5 years to your life. Everyone wants to live longer, given that they lead a happy and fulfilling life. However, this research suggests that the two go hand-in-hand. Those with a positive attitude tend to be happier and, as a result, live longer.

Researchers at Yale University have now found a clear relationship between positivity and longevity. In a study of 660 elderly people, participants were once again categorized as having positive or negative attitudes about aging, based on their responses to questions concerning their attitudes on aging. The researchers went on to show that those with the most positive attitudes about aging, lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those with more negative attitudes.

One of the questions asked to determine the likely disposition of adults was whether or not participants agreed with the statement “we become less useful as we age.” Such questions allowed researchers to determine participants were likely to experience a positive attitude, with feelings of happiness and peace of mind or negative with one, with overpowering emotions of anger, anxiety, and generally depressive tendencies.

Not sure if your attitude is positive enough to add years to your life? Take a quick quiz here to find out if you are a positive or negative thinker.

So maybe you have a negative attitude. Or perhaps you consider yourself to be generally positive, but occasionally let your mood get in the way. Here are a few ways you can reduce stress and maintain a positive attitude throughout life

• Share something that’s been burdening you with a loved one
• Write down a positive event each day
• List a personal strength and how you used it
• List a personal weakness and how you can improve it
• Set attainable goals and note your progress
• Practice small acts of kindness

Every day, people are living longer and longer, but many remain unhappy. Maintaining a positive attitude can allow you to be content with life and live even longer. Cultivating a more positive outlook can be easy if you can commit to making the small behavioral changes mentioned above. By adjusting your behavior, you can allow yourself to live a happier, healthier life and spend more time with your loved ones!