Optimism might be a quality that helps you live longer and better, according to two new studies. In one study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, researchers found that the most optimistic women lived 4.4 years longer on average than the least optimistic women. In fact, the most optimistic women were also more likely to live past age 90. This link between optimism and longevity existed for all racial and ethnic groups. In the second study, published in The Journals of Gerontology, researchers observed that more optimistic men experienced fewer negative emotions, likely due to reducing their exposure to daily stressors and better attitudes towards more stressful situations.