Dear Friends,
We have heard for years that tobacco and now vaping use reduces life expectancy by 5.5 years in men and 7 years in women. We have also heard for years that nicotine is a toxic substance which raises one’s blood pressure, adrenaline levels, as well as increases our heart rate and likelihood of having a heart attack. These statistics and information have been tucked away in our memory banks for many years. I do not smoke or vape myself, but it seems that simply knowing these statistics isn’t enough to enable people to quit using tobacco. Most smokers I have met enjoy smoking; they know it is bad for their health, yet they simply state it is too difficult to quit. Smokers I know don’t want to hear the statistics. For them to stop smoking would be as difficult as it would be for me to stop having desserts almost every day. The thought of my not having my sweets would make life much less enjoyable. I would hate it.
Once again, you may be wondering where I am going with tobacco use and desserts. I recently read a study from the Mayo Clinic. The study was conducted over 30 years, and its conclusion was that we could all increase our life expectancy by 10 years if we would just think more positively about life! Thinking positively about life seems to be much less difficult than stopping smoking or not eating desserts, (not to say that it wouldn’t still be advisable!).
What the study is trying to show us all is that we could help one another live longer – by as much as ten years – if we would choose our words more wisely. If we could just say more positive than negative things to one another, we could affect the life expectancy of others – as well as our own.
Another study videotaped 700 couples in 15-minute conversations after they had received their marriage licenses. By listening to the conversations of these couples, scientists were able to predict with a 94% success ratio whether the couple would divorce within the next ten years. These predictions were formulated by listening to how often there were positive or negative interactions. If the ratio was five positives to one negative (5:1), the prediction was that the couple would stay together. As the negative number increased, and the ratio became closer to 1:1, the success of the relationship was less likely.
Is this something we could all aspire to? I know I need a lot of work in this area. I was brought up with a strong work ethic. I was also brought up to believe that I could improve if someone gave me constructive criticism, and I could not improve as well through compliments. I guess I need to start looking for more ways to be positive – for my own health as well as all the people with whom I have contact. “Hello,” a smile, and little words of encouragement can help others feel more positive about themselves.
As we move into fall and then winter, my wish is that we all try to say more positive things to one another. Maybe we can look for ways to help one another too. Instead of quitting something, we can extend our life expectancy – and those of others through simple kindness. We will have a greater chance of being there for our children, grandchildren, and maybe even great grandchildren. It might help us smile more and contribute to turning our world into a healthier and happier place.
Enjoy the journey of being stronger every day,
Fran McDonald, PT, DPT, OCS
