Does optimism strengthen the immune system?

Does optimism strengthen the immune system? According to a study by the Hamburg University Clinic Eppendorf (UKE), the London Roehampton University and the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), optimists have less frequent colds in exam stress.

For the study, 80 students were divided into pessimists and optimists in an assessment phase based on their own statements. Then, during and outside the exam situation, the researchers questioned the students about nine symptoms such as stuffy nose, cough, or sore throat. Subjects in the optimistic group said they found the situation less stressful. In addition, they also had fewer symptoms of a cold.

The optimists seemed to see the stress phase as a challenge. This could make it less stressful and possibly even more workable for the organism through the view of the situation. According to Antonovsky, they would have a strengthened sense of coherence. Because the students of the pessimist group had to spend more energy to master the rather difficult situation for them to handle.

The current results were purely related to an examination situation. But a far-reaching study carried out in several geriatric care facilities should have confirmed the results, according to the experts of the Techniker Krankenkasse, Gerhard Mahltig and Heiko Schulz. Because here, too, showed that optimistic employees were less sick on the nursing staff and could deal better with stress.

Heiko Schulz finds the results helpful „Suppliers like health insurance“, the „use this information“ can, „to develop prevention services that also aim to promote the attitude towards life and the way the participants deal with problems. "The model of salutogenesis would also be available here in order to be able to use a structured approach to prevention (Thorsten Fischer, Naturopath Osteopathy , 16.02.2010)