I guess people weren't kidding when they said being an optimist is better for you! Not only is it better for your outlook on life, it also is helpful to those around you and apparently also helps you live longer.
According to a study published by the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, those with a more positive outlook have an 11-15% longer lifespan and 50-70% higher odds of living to be 85 years old when compared to those less optimistic.
The study was done mostly on women and tracked their level of optimism over a 10 year period.
This longer lifespan even accounts for health behaviors such as alcohol use, diet and exercise and even still, those that are more positive lived longer.
Remember - it's never too late to change your attitude!