Can good moods prevent colds?

by Jonathon Morgan (Subscribe to Jonathon Morgan's posts)
Dec 20th 2006 1:12PM

The "power of positive thinking" has become such a common idea that it's almost cliche. But does it really work?

A recent study says yes, finding that people with generally positive personalities are more resistant to colds than those aren't as upbeat. By frequently experiencing positive emotions -- regardless of how often you experience negative emotions -- stimulate substances in your body that fight cold symptoms.

However it's not the emotions themselves, but the underlying personality traits of a person that regularly experiences those emotions, that's likely to trigger these symptom-fighting substances. Therefore, if you're someone that has high self-esteem, is extroverted and optimistic, or feels in control of your life, you're subsequently less likely to get sick.

So think positive, and maybe you can avoid the sniffles this winter!

(Thanks to Boing Boing for the link!)

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Comments (43)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Ritchie 12-26-2006 @ 2:34PM

I have found out through past experience that if someone has a problem they tend to alleviate it at times by unloading it on a friend, relative or anyone who will listen at that particular moment . If you feel compelled to respond with advice let it be known that most people who unload and walk away feeling refreshed only hear 10 percent of what you say. So in this instance put blinders on and look straight ahead as with a horse in a race and keep your advice to yourself where it will most likely do the best. I like to call it the me, me approach. Because you know how special you are. and no one can take that away from you. This is positive thinking linked to self esteem.

mary smith 12-26-2006 @ 2:34PM

that's just not true. I teach middle school kids in a classroom with no windows. I am positive, upbeat, love my job and my family but get colds all the time as my students spray the air, forgetting to cover their mouths. My sister who much less outgoing, can be very pessimitci and works with adults never gets sick. I am challenge anyone of those researchers to spend a week in my classroom and see if there "Sunny dispositions" will prevent them from getting colds :)

Shary 12-26-2006 @ 2:59PM

Seriously? You teach middle school? That's a frightening thought since I lost track of your spelling and grammar errors on your commentary. Tsk Tsk

Tish 12-27-2006 @ 10:07AM

I work with the preschool population and Mary is correct!! I don't know how many times I say "Cover your mouth when you sneeze/cough." per day.

M 12-27-2006 @ 10:11AM

I totally agree with you, Mary. I teach elementary school in the same conditions as you - bad a/c, no windows or ventillation and children spreading germs. I have an excellent disposition, take tons of vitamin C and love my job. I spray with Lysol and clean all the desks, door handles and even the telephone with wipees. Last week a lot of my students were sick, and here I am: sick as a dog!

Janine 12-26-2006 @ 3:05PM

Maybe it's the other way around: People who get colds more often are less upbeat because they have been sick, and people who don't get sick are more upbeat because they're enjoying good health.

My secret weapon for stopping a cold is to start using zinc lozenges every four house at the very first hint of a sniffle, along with lots of fluids and Airborne.

Vivi 12-27-2006 @ 10:08AM

Mary Smith, after reading your post, I have to say you are definitely not qualified to teach middle school in these United States.
You have made numerous grammatical errors, misspelled and left words out. Looks as though you should go back to middle school yourself or perhaps grade school if they still have such a thing.

Donna 12-27-2006 @ 10:08AM

To poster #1:
You teach middle school, yet you start a sentence with a lower case letter, spell "pessimistic" pessimitci, and use there when you should use their? Also Sunny should be sunny and you write "I am challenge"!!!

I'm glad you aren't teaching MY children.

vera 12-28-2006 @ 12:31AM

For about 10 years of my 23 teaching years, My Allergist said there was no way I could withstand the constant barrage of germs spread in the classrooms where I taught. I kept hanging on, although he wanted me out on medical necessity. I finally came down with Chronic Fatigue Immune Disorder Syndrome, and simply had an overload of Chronic Epstein Barr Virus, and Fibromyalgia. If I'd heeded myDr's advice, I might be a rather well person. I had to retire, very bad immune system left for me to deal with.

Joe Guignon 12-27-2006 @ 10:07AM

I just finished a biology class with a B+ and I learned that the only way that cold virus can be transferred is by "getting in sombodies face," or not washing your hands after being in public places like restaurants, stores, schools, or haven't you heard that a hospital is the best place to catch something that will kill you! It's too bad that just a smile will kill a virus, we wouldn't have the common cold or aids.

Jeff 12-27-2006 @ 10:12AM

Last time I looked, germs and bacteria didn't care how we felt inside but how to get inside! What a concept!

bennett 12-26-2006 @ 3:37PM

A positive disposition helps to reduce stress, and stress can certainly bring down your imune systems ability to fight off germs. This is something that most people probably would not disagree with. The article just uses the phrase "good mood" instead of "lack of stress" to make it sound like something else. In Marys case however, being constantly exposed to germs in probably what is a high-stress environment is going to take it's toll no matter how positive you are or how sunny your disposition.

But here is another secret ingredient to warding off all kinds of illnesses.... water! Most people do not hydrate often enough, and this also adds to stress on your body just as many other things do.

Randy 12-27-2006 @ 10:08AM

Ok, If you work in a classroom with kids, of course you are going to get sick. Duh! But i dont think that is what this is trying to say. I know that if I am somewhere and i hear someone coughing and such behind me, and I think to myself "oh crap, this person is going to get me sick" then half of the time i will actually get sick. Yet, if I tell myself "It will be ok, i am here and they are over there, i wont get sick" then usually I dont. A lot of times I think that it is just stuff we put into our heads which causes certain outcomes, just like fortune telling, If you believe it, there is a good chance that things will turn that direction.
You people argue over the dumbest things. *rolls eyes*

lin 12-27-2006 @ 10:11AM

And I work with the ultimate germ factories -- preschoolers.
It is almost impossible to avoid their germs.

Barbara Walker 12-27-2006 @ 10:12AM

The Dr's need to tell you people the truth .Go to the store an buy a big bottle of vit-C.When you feel your noise running take 500mgof vit-c with a glass of Cranberry juice.Take this twice a day .Don't stop for a wk.But its like they say if you get sicker go to your Dr.

nick 12-26-2006 @ 3:57PM

what a joke

Keonli 12-27-2006 @ 10:12AM

You can't base health on a one's perspective on life. I know plenty of grumpy old people who have lived well past their 90's because they grumble about everything in the world. But perhaps that's what they consider fun, and it keeps them upbeat. I've found, through my own experiences, that when I'm stressed out or trying to fix too many of my friends' personal problems, I get sick easily. For instance, last summer I was helping out a friend who was struggling to raise her child, with another on the way. By listening to her problems, I found that not only was I helping, I was making myself sick! I was in bed for over a week. I've since kept my contact with said friend to a minimum and haven't been that sick since! Coincidence? Maybe, but perhaps there's something to this article.

Mona 12-27-2006 @ 10:10AM

What about sleep? I am a basically happy, upbeat person with three kids, 7,2,1 yr old. The two little ones are poor sleepers with night terrors. Some nights I am lucky to get 3 hours of sleep max. After a few nights of that I get sick every time.

Kate 12-27-2006 @ 12:32PM

I have to agree with Mary...I am known by family and friends as being "pert" and "chipper"...two adjectives I hate! But I get two bad colds a year...one ALWAYS right before Christmas. I get a flu shot every year, but no matter what, I can count on snorting, sneezing and coughing during the holidays.

Elizabeth 12-27-2006 @ 10:08AM

I think that positive emotions can affect the immune system, but there are so many other factors. I have read and learned a lot and have tried many things, but there are some things that just do the trick most or all of the time for me. One is Chapparal (an herbal blood cleanser) that I take whenever I am feeling sick. Also, I am honored to be part of a group of people that is forming a company around a natural, safe and simple product that has saved many from getting colds and the flu. People have tried it in other ways for other things, too, and are very satisfied. Check out my site at www.karlsformula.com?id=worldclass, and my friend's site at http://excaliburtrust.com/goldenopportunity. You can learn more there.