Are You Getting Happier As You Age?

What do you and I have to look forward to as we age?  Aches . . pain . . . passing on of loved ones and friends.  Yes . . . but that's not all.   There's actually more positive things ahead of you than you thought. 

According to new research reported by CNN, the happiest Americans are the oldest.

Sure, you'll still need to deal with the distresses of old age.  However, according to this new study, despite the disadvantages of getting older, seniors have found other ways to experience happiness.

Face it, you're not looking forward to getting older.  You're probably desperately seeking for something positive about your advancing years.  In fact, whenever I post a blog on the positive side of aging, the emails pour in thanking me for lifting people's spirits and providing them with encouragement.  Check out my blog on "Do You Have What it Takes to Live to 100?"

Are you ready to have your mind changed about getting older?  Start with this:  the odds of being happy increase 5% with very 10 years of age.  Here's one  more:  33% of Americans reported being very happy at age 88, as opposed to 24% of 18 t\to 20 year olds

So what's the secret of happiness at an older age?

•Older people know how to accept themselves and enjoy their accomplishments.  Younger people are still idealistic about what's ahead and have a higher frustration level contributing to a decreased happiness. Seniors are okay with their achievements and are not living discouraged lives because they never had their "fifteen minutes of fame" or received a Nobel prize in physics.

Are there any people who refuse to find happiness when they age?  Sadly, yes.  According to research at the University of Chicago,  baby boomers are the least happy.  That's my generation. Due to our achievement-driven mind set, we could very likely end up living up to the old-age stereotype that views growing older a bad thing.

The reason us baby boomers may end up bummed out in our twilight years is that we refuse to lower our expectations as earlier generations.  One Duke University aging expert commented, "They seem to believe they should have it all.  They're still thinking about a retirement that's going to let them do everything they haven't done yet."  That is assuming quite a lot . . . good health, an income comparable to what they are making in their younger years, a growing economy and emotional support from loved ones who are still alive.  That's an open invitation for some major frustration.

•Older people tend to be more socially active.  It's true people's social circles can shrink when they get older as friends and relatives pass away.  But when you're older you have more time to widen your social circles and are able to pursue social opportunities that you may have missed out on while chasing success in your youth.

The University of Chicago study noted that 75% of people ages 57 to 85 engage in one or more social activities at least every week.  Some of these events include hanging out with a neighbor, attending religious services, listening to a lecture, taking classes, volunteering or attending group meetings.

•Older people possess different values that bring greater contentment.  Perhaps with less commitments as they get older, they have more time to contemplate the meaning of life. They are not as stressed as younger people who don't have the time to consider what it means to experience happiness. When you're younger, you may be more materialistic and competitive and often too tired to appreciate what you have. 

*Older people refuse to allow adversity affect their emotional state.  Most people - especially younger adults - imagine adversity will make them less happy. Of course, severe suffering with chronic pain or a debilitating illness will severely diminish your quality of life.

Yet according to ABC news, current research says adversity has a smaller affect on people's happiness than they anticipate. One of the reasons is that we're getting better at life than we ever thought.

In other words, we're living life more wisely and making better choices. Despite the pain we may encounter in old age, we're making every attempt to make sure the pain never defines us.  Rather, focusing on our relationships with significant people in our lives is  often the wisest choice we can make when life strips us of its comforts.

John
Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

For more information on living smarter as you age, read my new book Intelligence For Your Life:  Powerful Lessons For Personal Growth.  You can purchase my book at your local bookstore or on line at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.