Want to live longer? Be an optimist, study says

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN

Updated 1900 GMT (0300 HKT) August 26, 2019

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As research into our mysterious gray matter continues to explode, scientists are getting ever closer to understanding what creates a calm, contented and happy brain. Answer these eight questions to see whether your brain is wired to be happy or if you might need to practice positivity.
Photos: Q&A: Do you have a happy brain?
Who doesn't want to be happy? – As research into our mysterious gray matter continues to explode, scientists are getting ever closer to understanding what creates a calm, contented and happy brain. Answer these eight questions to see whether your brain is wired to be happy or if you might need to practice positivity.
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<br />A: If you picked the kitten or pup, your brain may be wired to be happy. <a href="http://scan.oxfordjournals.org/content/9/6/760" target="_blank">Studies</a> show that people who have happy brains respond more to positive things than negative or neutral ones.
Photos: Q&A: Do you have a happy brain?
Q: Which picture appeals to you the most? –
A: If you picked the kitten or pup, your brain may be wired to be happy. Studies show that people who have happy brains respond more to positive things than negative or neutral ones.
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<br />A: All of them. They all have positive elements. No one is hurt, and everyone has access to help. Happy people, according to<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpuDyGgIeh0" target="_blank"> happiness researcher and author Rick Hanson</a>, look for the positives in each experience and try to hold on to those.
Photos: Q&A: Do you have a happy brain?
Q: Which picture is most positive? –
A: All of them. They all have positive elements. No one is hurt, and everyone has access to help. Happy people, according to happiness researcher and author Rick Hanson, look for the positives in each experience and try to hold on to those.
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<br />A: None of them. Happiness researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky says that although all of these can contribute to contentment, they are also part of<a href="http://themythsofhappiness.org/discover-happiness/" target="_blank"> The Myths of Happiness</a>. She defines those as "myths that assure us that lifelong happiness will be attained once we hit the culturally confirmed markers of adult success. This restricted view of happiness works to discourage us from recognizing the upside of any negative life turn and blocks us from recognizing our own growth potential."
Photos: Q&A: Do you have a happy brain?
Q: Which of these is critical to your happiness? –
A: None of them. Happiness researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky says that although all of these can contribute to contentment, they are also part of The Myths of Happiness. She defines those as "myths that assure us that lifelong happiness will be attained once we hit the culturally confirmed markers of adult success. This restricted view of happiness works to discourage us from recognizing the upside of any negative life turn and blocks us from recognizing our own growth potential."
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<br />A: All of them.<a href="http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/laura-kubzansky/publications/" target="_blank"> Studies</a> tell us that writing down what we are grateful for several times a week, laughing and surrounding ourselves with positive, nurturing relationships and looking for the positive as often as possible are great ways to boost mood.
Photos: Q&A: Do you have a happy brain?
Q: What can you practice to be happier? –
A: All of them. Studies tell us that writing down what we ar