Numerous studies show that a positive outlook and a strong sense of wellbeing contribute to better health and a longer life. A sunny disposition can improve work performance, strengthen relationships, support the immune system, enhance sleep, and boost overall health—factors that together help extend lifespan.
Examples of research supporting the connection between positivity and longevity include:
- A 2016 study from France evaluated the affective wellbeing of 3,777 seniors aged 62 to 101 over 22 years and found a clear association between a positive attitude and increased longevity.
- A study sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, published in 2015, interviewed 2,282 Mexican-American adults aged 65 to 99 and reported that participants with a more positive outlook were about half as likely to have died during a two-year follow-up period compared with those who had a less positive outlook.
- A 2011 study in the United Kingdom followed 3,853 adults aged 52 to 79 for five years and found that people who described themselves as content, happy, or excited on an average day were up to 35 percent less likely to die prematurely.
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Improving your sense of wellbeing
How can you increase happiness and wellbeing? While money can’t directly buy lasting happiness, research shows there are practical steps people can take to enhance wellbeing.
Martin Seligman, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, helped establish positive psychology, a field that studies the conditions that allow individuals and communities to flourish. Seligman proposed the PERMA model as a framework for wellbeing. PERMA identifies five core elements that contribute to wellbeing: Positive emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.
- Positive emotion: Although some people naturally view life more positively, everyone can take steps to increase positive feelings. Practices such as gratitude, forgiveness, mindfulness, and cultivating optimism help people savor the present and approach the future with hope.
- Engagement: Using skills and strengths to meet challenges — whether through work, hobbies, or learning — creates a sense of absorption and satisfaction that supports wellbeing.
- Relationships: Humans are social beings. Strong social connections, spending time with loved ones, and performing acts of kindness reliably increase happiness.
- Meaning: A sense of purpose — whether through spirituality, family, vocation, volunteering, or social causes — adds depth to life and supports emotional wellbeing.
- Accomplishment: Setting and achieving goals, small or large, fosters pride and satisfaction that contribute to a lasting sense of wellbeing.
Seligman emphasizes that people can find wellbeing through different combinations of these five elements and in varying degrees.
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PERMA at CCRCs
Working to strengthen each PERMA element can help maintain a positive sense of wellbeing, which in turn may contribute to a longer, healthier life. Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also known as life plan communities, often provide an environment that supports these five elements.
- Positive emotion: CCRCs often provide comfortable, low-stress living that helps residents savor daily life and feel optimistic about the future. The availability of a care continuum offers peace of mind by ensuring access to needed services as health needs change.
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- Engagement: CCRCs typically offer a wide range of activities—art classes, lifelong learning, book clubs, music groups, and resident-led programs—that keep residents mentally and physically active, which supports mental health and wellbeing.
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- Relationships: The social fabric of a CCRC helps residents form new friendships and a reliable support network. Close proximity of partners and friends can preserve important daily connections, especially when one partner needs a higher level of care.
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- Meaning: Many CCRCs provide volunteer opportunities and intergenerational programs that foster purpose and connection. They also support spiritual life through on-site services or transportation to nearby houses of worship.
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- Accomplishment: Residents can pursue creative or recreational goals—painting, photography, tennis, swimming, or other hobbies—that provide structure, challenge, and satisfaction, reinforcing a sense of achievement.
>> Related: CCRCs Help Seniors Stay Active for a Healthier Life
Boosting the wellbeing of seniors
Multiple studies suggest that people who move into retirement communities like CCRCs tend to report higher levels of happiness and better health compared with peers who remain in their prior homes. Research points to increased participation in social, educational, creative, and recreational activities; more shared meals and interactions to reduce loneliness; regular exercise; and the reassurance of an established support system and safety net for future health needs.
These lifestyle features map directly to the PERMA framework and help explain why many CCRC residents experience improved wellbeing and health. While some communities may have social dynamics that don’t suit everyone, learning about resident culture before moving in can help ensure a good fit and maximize the benefits these communities can provide.