By Julie E 
Photo Credit ( Pixels )
The process of aging does not have to be painful. In fact, feeling younger—and, by extension, having a zest for life—can potentially lengthen life, according to a recent publication in the esteemed medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine (Rippon & Steptoe, 2015). The advantages of aging can outweigh the drawbacks, despite the reality that some medical disorders are unique to each senior and their unique health situation. This is dependent on the individual’s mental and emotional state of mind as well as their overall attitude. According to this JAMA research letter, an individual who feels young will live longer than an individual who feels their age.
According to a 2009 study (Tindle, Chang, et al.) that was published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, psychological factors affected the chance of death from coronary heart disease, as well as from associated ailments like cardiovascular disease and unrelated diseases like cancer. Early death rates were predicted by depression, anxiety, rage, and unfriendly or unfavorable attitudes toward other individuals. Conversely, optimism decreased the chances of illness and death.
Signs of contentment
Seniors who still feel young express it in different ways. A grandfather in his mideighties is probably not feeling his age if he is able to play in the park with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An elderly mother of four who is in her sixties can demonstrate that she still finds meaning in her post-retirement and post-childrearing years by volunteering at soup kitchens and donating canned goods. People who feel young typically never stop learning, taking part in novel and exciting activities, enjoying social interactions, and actively interacting with others. They typically feel optimistic about their lives and are neither lonely nor depressed.
Elderly people who still feel young also have a tendency to exercise more and take part in self-care activities. This implies that they typically take care of their own houses and hygiene, cook for themselves and their family, occasionally go outside the house, and exercise with conventional methods like swimming or jogging. Being active is just a shortcut to feeling more youthful; it does not negate the ability for people with mobility constraints to feel youthful. Feeling and thinking young also means that seniors shouldn’t give up completely on physical activity. Whether it means making accommodations for limited mobility, seniors can still enjoy their favorite physical hobbies, such as marathons, hiking, or other physical pursuits.
Feeling young also imparts a certain mental acuity. Seniors who push themselves socially and mentally frequently exhibit a mental youth. Engaging in learning activities such as going back to school for formal education, joining a religious organization, or becoming involved in the community helps youthful-feeling seniors stay younger for longer.
How to promote youth and happiness
Staying youthful as you age might be challenging. It’s a good idea for seniors to stay up to date on their previous interests and pastimes, which may include social gatherings, volunteer work, industry trends relating to their line of work, movies, literature, hobbies (like quilting or travel), and even brainteasers like crossword puzzles. Seniors can continue to have a purpose in life by finding measures to prevent them from feeling as though they have lost access to or interaction with the things they enjoyed when they were younger.
Seniors will also feel younger if they continue to have good mental health and an optimistic outlook. It’s crucial to schedule time for seniors to visit therapists, counselors, or even religious leaders like pastors or rabbis to inquire about how they feel about their lives generally. It is possible to prevent loneliness, hopelessness, and sadness, which can reduce lifespans, by taking this time to analyze and reflect on their successes and trials and to receive support from a trusted observer. Seniors should also keep up their social lives whenever they can, which includes making new friends. Social relationships can be established and maintained by scheduling family get-togethers, going to community events (particularly ones that are deliberately planned to foster friendships among seniors), and taking part in brand-new activities like school plays or ballet productions.
When caring for an aging loved one, caregivers may establish “think and feel young” objectives. Would the individual have pleasure in a tour of golf courses? Could he or she create unique household items for every grandchild? Does the senior want to be proficient in a new language or field? Like any accomplishment, seniors feel satisfied when they reach goals that align with their interests.
It works well for family members to prevent elders from isolating themselves from younger culture. Many elderly individuals are bewildered by or lack access to youth culture, which makes them difficult to relate to technology and modern entertainment (and consequently, to their own, younger family members). Seniors can “stay young” by hanging out with young people and learning new skills through social media, television entertainment, and time spent with youthful family members and community members. Seniors will feel less like people who have been left behind by time and more like people who have not quite settled into their habits if they can stay up with the latest trends in fashion, music, movies, and literature in addition to using the Internet’s wealth of knowledge.
It is beneficial for older individuals to reject negative perceptions about aging and the elderly. Senior citizens don’t have to use wheelchairs or assume that becoming older will inevitably lead to senility. Aging people will find it easier to accept the changes and challenges if they view aging as an opportunity to continue working, growing, and engaging in life—after all, that is what it really is. Yes, health frequently deteriorates; yes, extra medication or mobility assistance may be necessary; and yes, after a certain age, a senior may feel a little cut off from the fast-paced world. However, all of these issues are manageable with help and an optimistic outlook. Seniors who embrace aging and feel young will live longer, have more good memories, and accomplish more of their goals.