Emotional control and the heart
Depression, anxiety, anger, and other so-called negative emotions have been linked to heart disease and heart attacks. What about the flip side — are positive emotions connected to better heart health? Yes, say two reports that addressed this question from different directions.
These findings add to the evidence that a positive outlook or positive emotions somehow contribute to a healthy heart and arteries. They may do it directly, in which case learning techniques to be more positive could be a prescription for better health. It's also possible that positive emotions could be working indirectly — people with positive attitudes or outlooks may exercise more, eat a more healthful diet, or be better about taking necessary medications. Or maybe healthier lifestyles lead to a more positive outlook on life.
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