Age Busting: The Attitude is the Difference Maker

I recently read that years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. I guess this means we must never stop doing that which we love no matter how many candles are on our birthday cake.

Age is only but a number. How old you feel can be so different from how old you really are. When do we become old? I suppose chronological age is an objective concept but that biological age is far more subjective. You are only as old as you feel. Attitude, flexibility and openness are instrumental in separating those who are elderly in spirit from those who are young at heart. There is no question in my mind that incredible and significant contributions can be made by people far beyond the age of 65. There are so many examples of the value of this Living History.

Longevity is linked to positive thinking and pursuing dreams and passions. Never lose the desire to do the things you truly love, because it is the saying no to life that ages us. There is evidence to support the notion that we can think ourselves sick. Conversely, research shows that the more you look forward to aging the longer you will live. According to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, those with more positive perceptions of their own aging lived on average 7.5 years longer. This effect remained after other factors such as age, gender, income loneliness and health status were controlled. The study compared death rates of 660 study participants to their answers to a survey 23 years ago. So it appears it is never too early to think yourself to a longer and happier life.

No matter what your current chronological age you have the potential to craft a brand new reality starting today. Your thoughts are the controller of your destiny. Think positive and live positive. Thinking that as you get older your physical and mental well being will diminish can unfortunately be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

To have excellent health and slow the aging process it is critical that you do not let the old person move into your body. Stop yourself from talking about how you are old and acting old. One of the keys of longevity is growing younger by approaching life with passion, zeal and enthusiasm. According to Les Brown "You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream" So go ahead set some goals and follow your dreams. There is no time like the present.

More people are living longer and we should be living better. Today, 37 million North Americans are over the age of 65. By 2030, that number will grow to 70 million. Today 5.3 million Americans are over the age of 85. By 2030, that number will grow to 20 million. These numbers increase and accelerate faster after 2030. Strategies to live healthier and more fulfilled lives will become even more important as there is no question we are all living longer.

Why age gracefully, when you can age powerfully. Empowering yourself to live a life of passion and contribution is at the heart of our mission at Impowerage. Please visit us at www.impowerage.com

Comments

[Tena]

I like aging powerfully and as disgracefully as possible, myself.

;)

Nice article - thank you. I can't wait to get out of Dallas and get back to Taos, New Mexico, where age is a plus. I live in Taos about 6 months a year and in Dallas, Texas, the other 6.

Dallas is brutal - everyone here is 25 and blonde, ,whether they are for real or not - this is plastic surgery city. I used to turn heads - now I'm invisible. But not in northern New Mexico. 'They like us older women there - like they do in Europe.