​A positive view of aging +7.5 years

Phillips, D.; Smith, D. Postponement of Death until Symbolically Meaningful Occasions. JAMA 1990, 263, 1947–1951.

Results from the Health and Retirement Survey also show that individuals who expect to live longer do so.

Siegel, M.; Bradley, E.H.; Kasl, S.V. Self-Rated Life Expectancy as a Predictor of Mortality: Evidence from the HRS and AHEAD Surveys. Gerontology 2003, 49, 265–271.

It is usually said that attitude is part of genes, part of external factors such as finances and relationships, and part that can be influenced. If you optimize this part, maybe your inner inherited optimism is brought to life, or are you laying the foundation for the optimism of future generations?

What do we learn from this? Embrace gray hair and see life’s changes, like the seasons, with unique beauty values and charms. It is impossible to play with grandchildren when you are 18 - but it is easier when you are 81.

Tip: Practice mindfulness and retrain your brain to intentional optimism, like a positive automated reflex. Write a diary with three things you experienced, saw, or did during the day and are grateful for. Start your day thankful for waking up pain-free to a new day with 86,400 seconds. Before you fall asleep at night, you can feel grateful to have lived another day.

If something goes against you as you age, write five positive things it means and five things you can do to reverse the trend. Rest assured that you can see it in a good light no matter what happens. There is a solid dark force in adverse events. In retrospect, maybe they were crossroads that led you onto a stress-free path.

A small clot can push one to reset one’s health so that a severe stroke is avoided. A new positive outlook on aging affects everyone infected by your enthusiasm. The wind turns, and the stones start rolling up the mountain instead of down towards you. Radiate joy and love, and you will receive it back. Positive words and thoughts are like boomerangs or flower seeds.

Personally, after the age of 25, I sadly celebrated my birthdays - because I still feel like 25... But now, I gratefully embrace each new year’s ring that builds the strong oak that will remain through life’s changes.

Can we feel happiness when the worries of aging weigh down life? Yes, when we realize there is no connection between joy and problems.

Nobody wants problems – but many want challenges, so start seeing aging as an exciting challenge. Overcoming challenges together strengthens bonds and brings growth in relationships. Age happily with positive emotions by changing your perspective. Recently, the problems have become challenges, hurdles in life’s obstacle course.

Training your mind to see the light instead of the dark is like training your body. Muscles don’t come by going to the gym once - you must work out regularly. Whatever happens, the power is in our hands to determine its significance.