Improved Aging: 10 Strategies to Modify Your Attitude

Photo Credit (Pixeles)

There are currently almost 8,000,000,000 individuals on the earth. We all have one thing in common, despite the astounding number of people: we are all getting older.

We all age from the time of our birth till the time of our death. To a certain degree, though, it is up to each of us to decide “how well” we age.

It matters how you think.
What we think and feel about aging can have a big impact on how we actually age, according to Dr. Catherine Sanderson, chair of the psychology department at Amherst College, author of The Positive Shift: Mastering Mindset to Improve Happiness, Health, and Longevity, and speaker at the recent Baystate Health Senior Class event “The Art of Aging: A Prescription for Mind and Body.”

“Our happiness, health, how quickly or slowly we age, and even how long we live are all significantly impacted by the way we think about ourselves and the world around us,” she says. In actuality, people who have a good outlook on aging tend to live 7.5 years longer than those who don’t.

A straightforward mental change can affect everything from how well you manage discomfort and enjoy meals to how strongly you may or may not experience the affects of a cold and even your capacity to lose weight, according to a number of scientific studies. Similarly, your perspective on aging affects your actual aging process. You are essentially setting the stage for your own aging if you subscribe to the stereotype that elderly people are forgetful and sluggish. However, you can improve your future if you have the correct perspective.

“The substantial influence it exerts on our psychological and physical health is well-established,” Sanderson says, while she admits that it’s unclear exactly how mindset accomplishes these goals. What that means for each of us as individuals is that we may enhance our quality of life as we age by elevating our mental state.

Ten techniques for cultivating an optimistic outlook for better aging
According to Sanderson, it’s not hard to improve one’s quality of life and even extend one’s life by a few years. “You may actually use a variety of techniques to significantly raise your happiness levels, lower your anxiety levels, and have more satisfying life experiences. Since not everyone is a good fit for every method, I’ll give you ten to pick from. Even putting one strategy into practice can significantly enhance your aging experience, but the more you use, the more likely you are to succeed in developing a more positive outlook.

1. Modify your perceptions.
   Negative perceptions of the elderly are prevalent in Western culture. Nonetheless, there are many instances of people accomplishing remarkable feats far into their 80s and 90s. Look for those and take inspiration from them.
2. Workout
   Exercise is crucial because it promotes neuronal connections and brain development, which results in a sharper mind. Additionally, it works well to reduce anxiety and despair. Exercise doesn’t have to be extremely regimented or demanding. Chair yoga, walking, or dancing in place are all important. Move, and you’ll be happier.
3. Engage in meditation
   Meditation is simple, affordable, and even free if you use certain apps. More significantly, meditation can increase brain activity and connections and make people kinder and more sympathetic even after only a few months.
4. Always learn new things.
   They can exercise their brains by trying new things and thinking in different ways. High-level content is not necessary to make an impact. Reading, taking cooking or painting classes, going to lectures, and solving crossword puzzles are all excellent methods to continue exercising your gray matter, which will only enhance its functionality.
5. Have trust
   According to studies, folks who identify as religious or spiritual are happier and live longer than those who don’t. One explanation for this finding is that those who follow their faith are basically adopting an optimistic outlook. Additionally, they frequently surround themselves with positive-thinking people, which has advantages as well.
6. Show generosity
   Generosity is linked to improved health and happiness. Individuals who donate their time, skills, money, or even blood typically live longer and are more confident and confident.
7. Pay attention to the good
   It has been demonstrated that thinking positively lengthens life, enhances physical health, and reduces depression. Although the exact cause of these advantages is unknown, one idea suggests that adopting a positive mindset helps one deal with stressful events more effectively, which lessens the harmful effects of stress on the body.
8. Purchase a canine
   According to research, pets, particularly dogs, can lower blood pressure, relieve stress, and offer great social support, among other health advantages. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that looking into a dog’s eyes raises the brain’s concentration of the feel-good neurotransmitter oxytocin.
9. Spend time with upbeat individuals
   It’s easy to spread positivity. Spending time with good individuals makes people happier, healthier, and more likely to live longer.
10. Establish positive connections
    For far too many of us, COVID has shown that physical stress is a result of feeling disconnected. Long-term disconnection can actually be just as bad for your health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. Look for methods to establish and maintain relationships with other people. Writing letters, holding virtual meetings, and making phone calls have all been shown to boost your mood and enhance your health.

Keep Your Physical Health in Mind
You don’t have to do it alone to stay healthy; professional assistance is available. Having a primary care physician is essential to aging well (PCP). Your PCP will treat you as a complete individual, taking into account your life stages, common illnesses, chronic problems, values, and preferences. Additionally, studies indicate that primary care providers are generally healthier because they are more likely to have early-detected diseases, manage chronic ailments, and receive routine checkups.

“Change is frequently cited as one of life’s constants. When discussing aging, this has never been more accurate, according to Baystate Family Medicine-Northampton physician Dr. Albert Agomaa. Your primary care physician, or PCP, is your partner in maintaining your health and adjusting to changes. Your PCP will discuss screening tests (such as colonoscopies and mammograms) with you, help you manage chronic illnesses, update your immunizations, and determine what support or resources you might require to live a better life.