Emotional states and physical health

Positive emotional states may promote healthy perceptions, beliefs, and phy sical well-being itself: To explore potential mechanisms linking pleasant f eelings and soon health, the authors consider several lilies of research, i ncluding (a) direct effects of positive affect on physiology, especially th e immune system, (b) the information value of emotional experiences, (c) th e psychological resources engendered by positive feeling states, (d) the wa ys in which mood carl motivate health-relevant behaviors, and (e) the elici tation of social support. As anticipated by the Greek physician Hippocrates , positive emotions and healthy outcomes may be linked through multiple pat hways.