Aging is inevitable, but we are not powerless against it.
Research shows that only about 15% to 25% of aging depends on genes. Your lifestyle and the environment you live in have a greater influence on determining your lifespan.
In short, it’s never too late to change the direction of your health. Among people older than middle age, adopting a healthier lifestyle has been shown to extend survival, even for those with chronic conditions.
Of course, lifestyle habits such as a nutritious diet and regular physical activity play an important role in your health, but they are not the only factors. Consider the following. These are all related to living a longer and better life.
- Good social support. Some studies link social support to a lower risk of early death. In one study, researchers monitored the health of nearly 7,000 Californians over 17 years. Researchers found that people with no social connections were about two to three times more likely to die young than those with more social connections.
- Optimistic. A growing body of evidence suggests that practicing optimism can impact your health. A Dutch study found that older people with an optimistic temperament – those who generally expect good things to happen rather than bad – live longer than those who tend to expect doom and gloom. It turned out to be.
- spirituality and religion. Many scientific studies suggest that the quality of life and the ability to cope with stress and adversity in later life is influenced by mental well-being. People who attend religious services tend to be in better health, live longer, recover faster from illness, and have fewer complications than those who do not attend such services.
Cultivating optimism, spirituality, and relationships in your life can seem scary or even impossible. Dr. Christina Chen, a senior care expert at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, offers insight and advice for those looking to grow in these fields.
Q: Longevity is usually related to things like diet, exercise, and managing chronic diseases. Where would you rank relationships and networks in terms of their importance to longevity?
answer: There’s plenty of evidence to support that maintaining an active social life can help you live longer. Isolated people have been found to be at higher risk of depression, mental health concerns and premature death. This is especially important for older adults with dementia. Social connections are essential to maintaining cognitive health.
Q: We hear a lot about the power of optimism, but what can older adults do to become more truly optimistic?
answer: Not everyone is an optimist by nature, but everyone is capable of feeling joy, hope, and contentment. An optimist’s mindset generally believes that things will work out, even in the face of complete chaos or unfavorable circumstances. Working towards that mindset requires making small habit changes over time. Some of these habits may include regularly practicing gratitude and mindfulness, and not surrounding yourself with persistent negative cognitions. You are determined by what you think and what you listen to on a regular basis. Human beings are inherently most affected by negative experiences and tend to dwell on them the most. As a result, it becomes easier to fortify your defenses with a degree of pessimism or caution and approach the next situation more cautiously.
By practicing gratitude, living in the present moment, and utilizing mindfulness, you can maintain experiences of joy, gratitude, and happiness. These experiences are easily forgotten by people. However, they are very important not only for feeling optimistic, but also for mental health and well-being.
Q: How can a healthy spiritual life, both inside and outside of organized religion, help cultivate overall health?
answer: Spirituality provides a sense of grounding and a deeper awareness of your body, mind, and sense of purpose. This is why meditation is so powerful. Meditation provides an opportunity to rediscover your daily purpose and practice gratitude. For most people, positive thinking doesn’t come automatically. That’s why it’s important to be intentional about these moments that feed your soul.
Q: How can couples who have been stuck in a “rut” for years turn things around?
answer: I’m not a relationship counselor, but I can share some things that have worked for me.
- Take time to rediscover what you appreciate about each other and why you were committed to each other.
- With effort and sacrifice, change small habits that make the other person happy. The cycle of love and respect has to start somewhere, even if the other person doesn’t show the same attitude at first.
- Consider trying a new hobby together, something unexpected, challenging, or new. Her husband and I started training BJJ together 5 years before her. I always look forward to the nights when we can learn how to break each other’s limbs. This week is the most fun time!
Q: Do you have any tips or success stories for older adults, especially those who are not naturally sociable, in making friends?
answer: Making friends is easy for some people and difficult for others. The most important thing is to try. Personalities don’t always mix, and that’s okay. Even if he meets 50 people and she only connects with one, at least he gets to interact with 50 unique individuals and hopefully learn something from them or enjoy something about them. can. I still remember the people I met on vacation, on planes, in stores, and at various events. I left each interaction grateful for the uniqueness of the person and what I learned from them. It doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be best friends with them. Relationships are the most important thing and what is needed in this world today.
Q: As a doctor, how do you approach a patient who is perhaps lonely, in a strained relationship, or without purpose? You can’t prescribe 10 milligrams of optimism like you would prescribe a drug.
answer: Optimism cannot be prescribed, and it is difficult for people to suddenly turn on their optimism switch. But you can provide a sense of hope to those around you.
Saying phrases like “Be happy with what you have!” is often unhelpful. “Stay positive!” “Think fun!” Instead, encourage your loved ones by focusing on their strengths and progress and making plans to achieve achievable goals. Please give me. Help them envision a purpose and life they can look forward to. Let people know that you are proud of them and understand their value and potential for growth and improvement.
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