Your mental health matters more than you might think.
You already know that wolfing down Krispy Kreme for breakfast every day is going to take years off your life while eating a nutrient-rich meal will lengthen it. You know that, in general, people who are active live longer than people who are sedentary. Longevity experts often speak on the importance of diet and lifestyle habits, but what’s less talked about is the role emotions can play in terms of how long you live.
How optimistic or pessimistic you are, how often you get angry, and whether or not you are depressed all contribute to longevity, according to scientific research. If you want to live as long as possible, it’s important to prioritize not just your physical health, but your mental health, too.
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How Emotions Influence Longevity
The most popular scientific study on how emotions influence longevity is the “Nun Study,” a longitudinal study that involved 687 Catholic nuns. Researchers found that the sisters who experienced positive emotions (like happiness) lived longer than the sisters who experienced negative emotions (like depression). Another scientific study found that people with a high level of optimism were associated with “exceptional longevity,” which means surviving to 85 years old.
The way emotions influence health is not fully understood, says Robert Levenson, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at the University of California Berkeley. But what is known is that continuously experiencing negative emotions (like sadness, stress, or anger) can cause wear and tear on the body, which can accumulate over time. He explains that chronically high levels of stress or depression cause sustained levels of autonomic nervous system activation. This, he says, can raise blood pressure (bad news for your heart) and weaken the immune system. “On the flip side, experiencing feelings of positive emotions, like happiness, can undo that activation,” Dr. Levenson says.
One emotion that’s well-documented to shorten lifespan: anger. “People who are angry or show a lot of hostility are more likely to experience heart attacks and get coronary artery disease,” Dr. Levenson says. These emotions cause blood vessels to constrict, which raises blood pressure and makes the heart work harder. Over time, this can put too much stress on the heart.
Besides the physical reactions emotions can have on health, negative emotions can cause people to neglect taking care of themselves, adds Dan Blazer, M.D., Ph.D, a professor emeritus of psychiatry and behavioral science at Duke University. This can, in turn, negatively impact their health. For example, someone who is depressed may not have the energy to go to the gym to make nutrient-rich meals. They may stop seeing friends or doing anything social, something that is associated with a shorter lifespan. Dr. Blazer says that people who are depressed are more likely to have trouble sleeping—and getting consistent, good sleep is very important for longevity.
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How Much of Your Emotions Can You Control?
The connection between emotions and longevity is clear, but how much of it is in your control? Both experts emphasize that the fix is not toxic positivity, or pretending to experience only positive emotions. “If you are carrying a heavy burden, just trying to think happy thoughts isn’t going to make it go away,” Dr. Levenson says.
Dr. Blazer adds to this, saying, “People need to learn to live with their emotions.” For example, he says that if something tragic happens, it’s absolutely normal to feel depressed about it. But the key is seeking help (such as through therapy, reaching out to loved ones for support, and avoiding self-isolation) so you’re dealing with it in a way that won’t negatively impact your health long-term.
What’s more, not everyone who is experiencing depression realizes it. “There are many older adults who may say that they don’t feel like themself, but they wouldn’t call it depression because they don’t cry or may not even have negative thoughts all the time,” Dr. Blazer says. “But they may go through life not caring about anything at all, have trouble sleeping, and have had a change in appetite — which are all signs of depression.”
It’s not just older adults who have trouble gauging their depression. In a 2024 survey of college students, 40 percent fit the criteria for depression, but only 22 percent identified as having depression. In another survey of 200 adults, 31 percent of respondents had symptoms of moderate to severe depression but had never been diagnosed.
This is where Dr. Blazer says knowing the signs of depression is important. If you’re reading them over and they’re resonating with you, it’s important to seek help, which can include therapy and prescription medication, if needed.
Dr. Levenson offers similar advice when it comes to regularly feeling angry or stressed. It’s natural to feel these ways sometimes, but how you deal with these emotions is important. Otherwise, it’s going to lead to that autonomic nervous system activation mentioned earlier.
Both experts say that we have more control over our emotions than many people realize. “There is a lot of scientific research behind how experiencing emotions such as awe, gratitude, joy, and calmness positively impact health,” Dr. Levenson says, adding that these are emotions everyone can actively seek out to experience more.
Want more awe in your life? Spend more time in nature, dancing at music festivals or concerts, or traveling to places that take your breath away. Want to feel more calm? Commit to taking a weekly yoga class at the Club. Having trouble feeling grateful lately? List out five things you’re grateful for each morning, a writing exercise similar to one shown to help people feel less stressed during the pandemic.
Just like how neglecting your physical health will take years off of your life, neglecting your emotional health will, too. By prioritizing both, you won’t just live a long life — it will be a happy one to boot
There is a lot of scientific research behind how experiencing emotions such as awe, gratitude, joy, and calmness positively impact health.
Dr. Levenson offers similar advice when it comes to regularly feeling angry or stressed. It’s natural to feel these ways sometimes, but how you deal with these emotions is important. Otherwise, it’s going to lead to that autonomic nervous system activation mentioned earlier.
Both experts say that we have more control over our emotions than many people realize. “There is a lot of scientific research behind how experiencing emotions such as awe, gratitude, joy, and calmness positively impact health,” Dr. Levenson says, adding that these are emotions everyone can actively seek out to experience more.
Want more awe in your life? Spend more time in nature, dancing at music festivals or concerts, or traveling to places that take your breath away. Want to feel more calm? Commit to taking a weekly yoga class at the Club. Having trouble feeling grateful lately? List out five things you’re grateful for each morning, a writing exercise similar to one shown to help people feel less stressed during the pandemic.
Just like how neglecting your physical health will take years off of your life, neglecting your emotional health will, too. By prioritizing both, you won’t just live a long life — it will be a happy one to boot.