The Language of Long Life: Why Positivity in Writing Matters

Research suggests that emotional tone is more than just style. Positivity in writing could be key to a longer life. 

In today’s publishing world, darkness often dominates. While it is true that every compelling story needs conflict, too many stories seem to be filled with gritty narratives, morally gray antiheroes, and dark themes. In this context, writing with genuine positivity can sometimes feel naive and unprofitable. Yet research suggests that a positive tone in writing is far more beneficial than we give it credit for.

THE RESEARCH 

In “Positive Emotions in Early Life and Longevity: Findings from the Nun Study,” researchers Deborah Danner, David Snowdon, and Wallace Friesen explored whether emotional expression early in life could predict physical health and longevity decades later (2001). The research stemmed from a larger longitudinal project on aging and Alzheimer’s disease, which involved 678 Catholic nuns who agreed to provide researchers with full access to their historical and medical records.

For this specific analysis, the researchers examined 180 short autobiographies, roughly 200 to 300 words each. Each had been written when the sisters were between 18 and 32 years old, as part of their entrance into the convent. Each essay was coded for emotional content, noting the frequency of positive, negative, and neutral words and phrases. The emotional tone of these early writings was then compared with the nuns’ life spans, recorded at the time of the study, when the women were between 75 and 95 years old. In the results, researchers carefully considered both the ages of the nuns who had passed away and the health of those still living. 

The results revealed a powerful association: The more positive emotions expressed in early writing, the longer the life of the author. Nuns whose autobiographies contained the highest number of positive words lived, on average, up to a decade longer than those whose writings reflected fewer positive emotions. Overall, this research suggests that “an optimistic explanatory style, in contrast to a pessimistic one, can lead to greater feelings of well-being and perhaps even to longer life” (2001).

THE IMPLICATIONS

Although the writings analyzed were autobiographies, the findings may apply to other forms of writing. Because writing is an intimate act, parts of the author inevitably live within the text. When we nurture positivity in writing, that positivity may have a broader impact than we could ever imagine. For writers, this means embracing emotional honesty without surrendering to cynicism—allowing hope, gratitude, and compassion to shape literary tone. For editors, it means recognizing the full power of the content they choose to work on. Choosing to promote positive narratives doesn’t deny hardship; positivity reframes hardship through empathy and meaning. Together, writers and editors can help steer the publishing landscape toward balance, reminding us that positivity in writing is not just uplifting for readers but potentially beneficial for the authors themselves.

To learn more about how positive writing in early years affects lifespan, read the full article:

Danner, Deborah D., David A. Snowdon, and Wallace V. Friesen. 2001. “Positive Emotions in Early Life and Longevity: Findings from the Nun Study.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 80 (5): 804–13. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.80.5.804.

—Elizabeth Reynolds, Editing Research

FEATURE IMAGE BY LISA FROM PEXELS

For more research

Read Chad Burton and Laura King’s (2003) article to find more insights about the health benefits of writing positively: “The Health Benefits of Writing about Intensely Positive Experiences.” Journal of Research in Personality 38, (2): 150–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-6566(03)00058-8. 

Read James W. Pennebaker, Janice K. Kiecolt-Glaser, and Ronald K. Glaser’s (1998) article to learn more about how expressing feelings through writing can boost the immune system: “Disclosure of Traumas and Immune Function: Health Implications for Psychotherapy.” Pennebaker, James W., Kiecolt-Glaser, Janice K., Glaser, Ronald. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 56 (2), 239–245. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.56.2.239.