Research has confirmed the long-held belief that you’re only as old as you feel. Studies have shown that as people age, they identify less and less with their actual ages. Feeling more youthful can have protective effects against depression, dementia and more.
Have Young and Old Friends
People with friends from different generations tend to feel younger than those whose friends are all their age. Younger friends may help you try new things or challenge long-held beliefs. Older friends can serve as role models for aging gracefully.
“Read to school children (or) volunteer to distribute water at triathlons and races — something meaningful to you,” Nelson says. “Start surrounding yourself with active older adults who are happy to be alive. You will generally find there are plenty who are older than you, (and) more wrinkled than you who don’t care.”
Find a young person and ask them to mentor you on using the internet, smartphones, cutting loose from your cable provider, the internet of smart things.
Stay in touch with your children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces
Notice the World Around You
Being mindful can help you improve your mental and physical well-being. You don’t need to meditate to reap the benefits; just spend more time being in the moment.
“All you need to do is notice new things; that puts you in the present and makes you sensitive to context and perspective,” Langer says. “It increases your engagement. It’s literally and figuratively enlivening. (And) when you’re mindful, people find you charismatic and attractive, at any age.”
Find Your Passion
“Don’t so much focus on your years; put more focus on what you love to do,” Nelson says. “Find something that really, really turns you on, and go for it with every ounce of your being.” You may find old passions in your memory of things you used to do in your youth. Now is the time to reach back and bring these things to the present. You will be surprised to find how your old hobby has morphed into the digital age.
Ways to Embrace Aging in This Youth-Obsessed Culture: American culture values youth and beauty over age and experience. Here are some ways to counter that and feel good as you get older.
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