Everyone ages, and how you perceive your coming golden years may affect just how bright or tarnished those years will be for you. Attitude can make all the difference in the world in many situations. Interestingly, it can impact how well you age and the status of your health as you do. Findings from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin suggests that negative attitudes toward aging can affect both your physical and cognitive health.
In a society where youth is celebrated and synonymous with beauty and vitality, no one wants to feel like they are aging. However, embracing the positives of the process can lead to a better experience in your later years.
Negative attitude = negative outcome
The mind has a powerful effect on the body, so it shouldn’t be surprising that depression or negativity can manifest itself physically. One key finding from the TILDA study shows that participants with negative attitudes towards aging had slower walking speeds and worse cognitive abilities two years after the study, compared to older adults with more positive attitudes towards aging.
Negative thoughts were powerful in this regard, as their effects continued despite changes in medication, mood, or life circumstance during the study period. Further, the frailer a person was, the worse their health was affected by their negative attitude.
People may feel negatively about the aging process for various reasons. They may feel lonelier as friends their age fall into poor health or pass away. Without strong family connections, that loneliness is compounded. A solid social life can also depend on how active you are.
To counter any negative effects, start changing your attitude about aging – and your ways – while you still can.
Put a spring in your step
Losing the ability to walk or get around easily is one of the most depressing things elderly people experience. Lack of independence can spiral into depression and more health issues. However, it all begins with the life you build for yourself and how you feel about entering your golden years.
Lead researcher Dr. Deirdre Robertson states, “The way we think about, talk about and write about aging may have direct effects on health. Everyone will grow older, and if negative attitudes towards aging are carried throughout life, they can have a detrimental, measurable effect on mental, physical and cognitive health.”
By putting a spring in your attitude now, you’ll put a spring in your step later and better maintain your mobility and mental prowess as you age.
There are many positive things to look forward to about entering your golden years. Firstly, you have decades of wisdom and experiences to share. You’ve lived and learned. Even if you are not close with your family or don’t have grandchildren, there are ways to share those experiences and develop new friendships within your community.
Secondly, retirement allows more time for the things you never had time for when you were younger. Have you always wanted to take up gardening, painting, model train building, knitting, or another hobby? Now’s the time to do it.
Something to look forward to
There are many aspects that get better with age. A few of them are:
- Self-confidence: Most seniors say they wouldn’t trade places with a 20-something for anything. As we age, we become more comfortable speaking our minds.
- Allergies: Seasonal allergies, particularly hay fever, seem to dissipate over time, says Michael J. Welch, co-director of the Allergy & Asthma Medical Group and Research Center in San Diego.
- Body image: As we age, we become more comfortable in our skin and focus less on superficial aspects of ourselves.
- Decision making: The more years we have, the easier the task of making tough decisions becomes. According to a recent study published in Psychological Science, the insight and life experiences adults acquire over time make them better equipped to choose wisely.
- Empathy: Researchers at the University of Michigan found that women aged 50 to 59 were more likely to make an effort to relate to different perspectives.
In conclusion, adopting a positive attitude toward aging can significantly impact your physical and cognitive health over time. Embracing the later years of life and making conscious efforts to maintain a strong social life, focusing on enjoyable hobbies, and recognizing the many positive aspects that improve with age can lead to more fulfilling golden years.
