Study after study has been done on aging, testing both middle aged and senior adults. The results are in. You really are the age you feel. Older seniors and middle aged adults who report feeling younger than their actual ages tend to live longer than those who not only feel but act their age!
What is the difference between the two?
- A sense of vitality. You can put two people side by side who are both 60 and guess their ages incorrectly. You might think one of them is 50. That’s the one who strides through life with a lively look in their eyes. Nothing is going to get them down. They may have health problems and pain but that is put aside so they can go on living the life they choose. The other? They walk slowly, head bent, making sure that everyone around them can see just how difficult their life has become. Depressing, isn’t it?
- Weight control. Those who feel younger are almost always within average weights for their body types. They make more healthy food choices. Not always, but usually! The older feeling person quite often is overweight. They may drink too much alcohol – wine with lunch, drinks with dinner. They don’t care too much about healthy eating but they do eat, a lot!
- Hobbies and interests. You’ve heard it before. As you grow older, the more hobbies and interests that you have, the better it is for your health. A variety of interests and things to do gives you something to think about besides gossip and the news. You are always learning and that makes your brain stronger. Those without hobbies are often lonely and can become depressed.
There are no real secrets to staying young and why would you want to? Growing older has its perks. Stand a little taller. Become interested in more things. It will put the sparkle back in your eye and make you feel much better. Maybe even younger!
