ENJOYING LONGEVITY

“In spite of illness, in spite even of the archenemy, sorrow,
one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration
if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity,
interested in big things, and happy in small ways.”

Edith Wharton, A Backward Glance, Scribner (c) 1934


The attitude that surrounds us is that ‘age’ in its most problematic sense, starts at 50 or 60. Why is this? I think it’s because we still buy into some outdated rule that midlife is the beginning of decline. This fallacy is based on the equally outdated life expectancy of 47 years or so, which was an average life span at the beginning of the last century! As we all know, the average life expectancy has changed drastically, but our cultural attitudes have not.

I have no doubt at all that the degenerative aspects of the aging process can be substantially retarded by a combination of factors that include attitude, opportunities for service, continuing intellectual stimulation and good health habits.

A Yale University professor found that people who think positively about aging tend to live almost eight years longer than those who think negatively. In fact, thinking positively is a more significant life extender than low blood pressure, low cholesterol, exercising regularly or not smoking. The Journal of Gerontology once reported that feistiness makes aging easier---that personal determination to stay independent can help overcome physical frailty. Another study I read found that an optimistic attitude has a measurable effect on preventing heart disease for instance.

Living and aging are one and the same. I find it interesting that many people who embrace living still hold on to negative impressions or myths about aging. Living does not stop at a certain year in one’s life followed by the process of aging. The sooner we realize this, the sooner we can explore and enjoy our longevity.