(BlackDoctor.org) -- Is your glass of water half empty or half full? How you answer that question can say a lot about your frame of mind.

It’s a well-known fact that your emotional wellness can have a direct effect on your physical wellness, but to what degree? Research has found that an upbeat attitude or happiness can help lessen the burden of chronic pain, say from arthritis, or even reduce your chances of developing cardiovascular disease. And, there are some experts out there who think that having a positive outlook on life can even help you live longer.

In a study done at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., researchers followed a group of people for 30 years. They found that those who were originally classified as "optimistic" on a standard personality test turned out to be 20% less likely to suffer an early death than those classified as "pessimistic."

Opt for a Good Mood, Opt to Live Longer

Happiness plays a fairly important role in keeping your brain healthy and vital, too. Experts say staying positive helps fight the "blues." This is good news in terms of longevity since, among other factors, depression has been shown to increase a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

According to experts, an optimistic outlook isn't hard to achieve, and doing a few simple "optimism exercises" can yield a big reward. Optimism exercises don't have to be formal. You can improve your attitude just by taking a brisk walk, petting your dog or playing with your children or grandchildren outside. Anything that lets you release pent-up negativity and experience calm, peaceful thoughts can go a long way toward helping you become—and stay—more positive.

Training Your Brain to Stay Positive

There are also some specific activities you can undertake to boost your brain's vitality. The ancient practice of yoga, research has found, can improve your cognitive function, including your memory. Practicing yoga trains your brain to stay focused. It requires you to concentrate on your body's movement in space and the actual mechanics of your breathing, while tuning out distractions.

Yoga also promotes relaxation and eases stress, something that is very good for your brain's overall health and vitality. Stress can wear down your brain's cognitive abilities. So anything you can do to eliminate stress will help keep your brain sharp.

Another powerful tool to rev up your brain's vitality is meditation. This technique clears your mind and lets you concentrate on being peaceful. Researchers at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., found regular meditation sessions slowed the normal age-related decline of brain cells. And according to Harvard University researchers, daily meditation also reduced normal age-related thinning in regions of the brain thought to be involved in integrating emotional and cognitive processes.

Activities like yoga and meditation, which require concentration and focus, are good for your brain in indirect ways, too. You may never actually think about how you're constantly breathing, but consciously and deliberately thinking about it while meditating or doing yoga increases lung function. That increased lung function boosts oxygen levels in the blood that circulates through your body, which includes your brain. Oxygen-rich blood keeps the brain healthy and increases alertness.

A Vital Spirit, a Lengthy Life

Participating in religious or spiritual activities can also keep your brain humming along more smoothly. The rituals of religious services and the social elements of being part of a congregation stimulate your brain. The sense of belonging and being able to connect with others who share your beliefs heightens alertness, which keeps your brain engaged in daily activities.

Being spiritual or religious can also perk up your mental outlook. British researchers found seniors with chronic diseases who attend religious services or who pray on their own showed a greater level of optimism about their overall health than those who did not.

By Syleena Johnson, BDO Staff Writer