Be more optimistic to live longer

Plus: Groupons for health care? Roy Scott/Ikon Images via Getty Images [To Live Longer, Learn To Be More Hopeful]( Some weeks are especially tough, even for those with rosy outlooks. Still, optimism can be learned, researchers say, and they’ve found new reasons for us all to try. A recent Boston study suggests that people who tend to be optimistic are likelier than others to live to be 85 years old or more – and that’s after taking into account all the other factors that can limit or lengthen lifespan. What’s the key? No one’s sure, but researchers suspect the way optimists regulate their response to stress plays a role. It’s well known that unrelieved stress is hard on the heart, liver and gut. [Read on for clues on how to shift a gloomy outlook to a bright one.]( [PLUS: Try These 8 Skills To Cultivate Joy]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Colin Cuthbert/Science Photo Libra/Getty Images [Should You Try That Groupon For Health Care Deals?]( Yes, Groupon — the online coupon mecca that also sells discounted fitness classes and foosball tables -- has gotten into medicine. You can find deals on various lung, heart and full-body scans and even ultrasounds for expectant moms. Analysts say it’s a sign of the market adapting to consumers’ desire for lower and more predictable health care prices. But some warn that such deals may drive patients to get unnecessary initial scans — which can lead to unnecessary tests and radiation. [Read more about the pros and cons of Groupon for medical care.]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Erik Witsoe/EyeEm/Getty Images [For Travelers: You May Need Another Measles Shot]( If you’re traveling somewhere with a recent outbreak of the measles, it’s a good idea to review your vaccination status. Especially when going abroad to places experiencing severe outbreaks, like Bulgaria, the Philippines or Ukraine. For people who were vaccinated before 1989 when double doses of the vaccine became standard, there’s a risk they don’t have full immunity. But testing for it can be tricky. It’s possible to test borderline for the antibodies -- you may still be immune but it’s not 100% certain. And measles is very contagious, so doctors suggest, better safe than sorry. [Read on for more advice about checking your measles vaccination status.]( [PLUS:]( more about the secondary dangers of measles infectio]( --------------------------------------------------------------- More of this week's health stories from NPR [The teen who went blind from eating junk food]( [How to get seniors prepared for natural disasters]( [Could Vitamin E be causing the recent rash of vaping illness?]( We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of [NPR's health journalism on Shots]( and follow us on Twitter at [@NPRHealth](. Your Shots editor, Carmel Wroth What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [shots@npr.org](mailto:shots@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Goats & Soda, Daily News, Best of NPR and more! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( You received this message because you're subscribed to Health emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](