These results were independent of age, sex, ethnicity, wealth, education, baseline health and other factors.
Adding to the notion that a positive mental attitude can extend your lifespan is research from University College London.
The researchers came to the same conclusion after analysing a huge database from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.
Happiness can add up to 10 years onto your life (Image: Getty)
There were 3,853 individuals, aged 52 to 79 years old, who were involved in the analysis.
Their positive affect (i.e happiness) were aggregated over a single day, with their health outcomes measured in a five-year follow-up period.
Respondents who were categorised in to the lowest third of positive affect - meaning they felt the most glum – had a death rate of 7.3 percent.