Many studies have found an association between a positive outlook and better health outcomes [1]. While it is easy to understand how being in good health can foster a good mood, there is increasing evidence indicating that mental outlook also has a large effect on physical health. Individuals who show a greater capacity to remain positive after a negative life event tend to have better long-term health outcomes and lower rates of dementia [2; 3; 4]. Although it may seem that some people are just naturally endowed with the ability to see things from a glass half full perspective, research suggests that this ability can be cultivated with practice and experience.
Adverse life events tend to activate the body’s stress response system. This response involves the modulation of a wide variety of physiological processes, such as metabolism and the immune system. These effects are designed to protect the body against an imminent danger in the short-run, but if the stress responses are not turned off, they can end up causing harm to the body. The damage from chronic stress has been shown to accelerate the cellular aging process, which effectively increases the risk for a variety of aging-related conditions, including dementia.
The stress response stems from the activation of particular brain networks, such that the overactivation of these networks can drive chronic stress [5; 6]. The activation of these brain networks is controlled by the interplay of input about bodily sensations, such as pain, together with input from brain regions that interpret these sensations. This means that our perception of an event can determine if our brain activates a stress response to it.
Whether or not an event drives a chronic stress response is related to our perception of the power we have to stop or resolve the source of the stress. A stress response develops when we perceive that we lack the resources we need to deal with the current crisis [6]. Without a way to resolve the problem, the continued negative feelings lead the stress response to persist. This is partially why people of lower socioeconomic backgrounds who are lacking in material resources show high rates of chronic stress and chronic illnesses.
Individuals who show resiliency against this type of chronic stress exhibit a strong sense of resource sufficiency to deal with life’s challenges, which allows them to have a positive outlook. This can involve a combination of both material and emotional resources. Networks of social support can be one of the most beneficial resources, such that individuals who remain actively engaged in their social networks have a larger pool of resources to pull from in times of need. Disparities in material resources will require structural solutions, but strong emotional resources are potentially available to all through training and experience.
There are several lines of evidence to suggest that we can learn to become more emotionally resilient. Many observational studies have shown that older adults show a higher degree of resiliency relative to younger adults [7]. Due to the experience gained in facing challenges over the course of one’s life, midlife to older adults feel more capable regarding their capacity to overcome future challenges. Additionally, pilot cognitive-emotional training programs have shown promise in improving emotional resiliency [8; 9].
There are three main aspects toward having a productive emotional response to a stressful situation [9]. The first involves paying attention to our emotions in a given situation. Then, it is important to try to understand why we are having those emotions and how we can relate it back to our previous experiences. Finally, we use this information to guide the process of emotional repair, to figure out what steps we can take to interrupt or resolve the negative emotional state. In this way, one becomes empowered to take control of their emotional response to the situation whether or not they have the capacity to fully resolve the situation that led to the negative feelings. This can circumvent the loop of negativity driving the stress response.
Resiliency trained military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were found to show lower rates of dementia relative to individuals with PTSD in the general population [2], suggesting that this type of intervention may meaningfully reduce negative outcomes associated with chronic stress. Although some highly traumatic events may overwhelm even the most emotionally resilient people, boosting one’s emotional resiliency has the potential to reduce the negative impacts of life stressors on dementia risk and long-term health outcomes.
Betsy Mills, PhD, is a member of the ADDF's Aging and Alzheimer's Prevention program. She critically evaluates the scientific evidence regarding prospective therapies to promote brain health and/or prevent Alzheimer's disease, and contributes to CognitiveVitality.org. Dr. Mills came to the ADDF from the University of Michigan, where she served as the grant writing manager for a clinical laboratory specializing in neuroautoimmune diseases. She also completed a Postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan, where she worked to uncover genes that could promote retina regeneration. She earned her doctorate in neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she studied the role of glial cells in the optic nerve, and their contribution to neurodegeneration in glaucoma. She obtained her bachelor's degree in biology from the College of the Holy Cross. Dr. Mills has a strong passion for community outreach, and has served as program presenter with the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association to promote dementia awareness.
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