Written by Dr. Dan A. Longo
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[dropcap]According to Pew research projections, by 2050 one in five Americans will be over the age of 65. This will put us at par with the three oldest nations—Japan, Italy and Germany. By 2030, the number of Americans over the age of 65 will double to 70 million. Medical advances and higher standards of living have brought an unprecedented longer lifespan and it is only going to get better. Living longer—though undoubtedly a good thing—may come along with increased health challenges in our retirement years. These challenges present us with opportunities that test our coping abilities, and wellness and happiness may just be two of the most important keys to aging well. [/dropcap]
Wellness is often defined as the absence of illness and is usually linked to healthy diet and exercising. Wellness, however, is not necessarily a state indicating the absence of illness, but our ability to embrace a positive approach to life. Happiness is not only a mood characterized by joy and cheerfulness, but also functions as an important protective factor in recovering from illnesses. Research has found that happiness may increase longevity and functions as a protective factor in recovery from illnesses and behavioral problems such as depression. So how do we grow wellness and happiness in everyday life? Here is the short-list:
Be positive. Practice gratitude for all the good things in your life and see the glass as always half-full. Your mood will improve and there seems to be a link between being positive and longevity. How much of a link? Some studies have found that people who are optimistic about aging may live 7.5 years longer than those with less positive attitudes.
Have meaning in life. Use your strengths and skills to become involved with your community. Communities need people and there are plenty of volunteering opportunities to enrich your life and help your community.
Foster joyful relationships. Reach out to family, friends and co-workers. Use humor to maintain cheerful and happy relationships and shrug off everyday little nuisances.
Practice altruism. People who help others report increased happiness. Altruism has been found to improve physical and mental health as studies on people who volunteer have found that they live longer. It is also good for adolescents! Young people who volunteer tend to have higher self-esteem and aspirations than their peers who do not.
Smile. The jury is still out on the health benefits of smiling and laughing. Further studies with larger pool of subjects may clarify what role they may play in wellness and happiness. Nevertheless some studies have found positive effects on longevity, mood and improved immunological system. Smiling in particular may release naturally occurring endorphins, which make us feel good.
