How to Get Better with Age

Get Better with Age.

The U-shape of happiness doesn't have to bottom-out.

"The Happiness Curve," a term coined by author Jonathan Rauch, describes the decline and subsequent rise of life satisfaction as we age. The lull between ages 40-50 is a temporary downswing due to feeling the effects of time.¹

WHY THIS HAPPENS

American women at age 50 are projected to live on average an additional 43.1 more years, and men an additional 37.6, if they exhibit all five “low-risk lifestyle factors” (those being a healthy diet, thirty minutes of physical activity per day, a healthy Body Mass Index, zero smoking, and moderate alcohol consumption).² This data confirms the age-old adage that it’s never too late to start. Even at age 66, the “full retirement age” considered by Americans, we gain an additional 10-12 years over people with zero healthy lifestyle factors.³

In order to glide through this period with grace, try some of the following:

• Get Social- Join a fitness facility or social club with Senior activities to meet like-minded people.

• Attitude Adjustment- Listen to some motivational podcasts to boost your mood or to learn something new while you stroll!

• Eat Right- 90% of your serotonin receptors live in your gut.¹ Create a happiness-boosting meal.

• Move for Heart Health- Add 30 minutes per day of cardio to protect against heart disease.

• Manage Stress- Stress can be a silent killer- it’s damaging to both mind and body!

• Savor Sleep- Sleep routine is crucial for regulating hormones. Try to get your 7-8 hours!

^SOURCES:

^{https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/may/05/happiness-curve-life-gets-better-after-50-jonathan-rauch}

^{https://dqydj.com/average-retirement-age-in-the-united-states/}

^{https://www.distilledspirits.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.032047.full_.pdf}

^{https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gut-feelings-how-food-affects-your-mood-2018120715548}