People with generally positive outlooks show greater resistance to developing colds than do individuals who rarely revel in upbeat feelings, a new investigation finds. The recently published study exposed 334 healthy adults to one of two rhinoviruses via nasal drops. Those who displayed generally positive outlooks, including feelings of liveliness, cheerfulness, and being at ease, were least likely to develop cold symptoms.
These positive moods enhance regulation of an infection-fighting substance, interleukin-6. Other studies have shown other benefits to be derived from having a positive outlook. Preliminary results from one study showed that among depressed people, a lack of positive emotions is a more accurate predictor of stroke.