Your mental state of mind has everything to do with aging well, according to a new OSU study. The OSU study specifically analyzed the influence optimism has on aging and whether we believe we have the ability to become the person we want to be in the future. So in essence they weighed whether respondents felt they were going to go downhill physically and mentally as they aged versus what they’d like to look and feel like when they’re older and if they thought that was possible based on their outlook. The findings – if you believe you’re capable of becoming the healthy, engaged person you want to be in old age, you’re much more likely to experience that outcome.