I’m, right now and right here, sitting on the peak of that so-called hill we always talk about. Things could go swell for another 40 years, at which time I’ll be buried by any remaining friends. Or they could blow up in my face and trim my life back by a few decades. My body is no longer resilient to careless experiments. That’s for sure. At almost 40, I do indeed suffer the consequences of an extra shot of espresso, two nights of interrupted sleep, or a chocolate binge.
The forgiveness and flexibility of my youth has officially gone bye-bye.
So I’ve begun to ask myself what the energetic 80-year-olds that swim at the Naval Academy with me are doing differently than the lifeless elderly folks at the senior center I occasionally visit. And, yes, I’ll occasionally pretend to be Barbara Walters and ask nosy questions about what they are doing right (or wrong, but I don’t quite word it like that).
Here are a few observations from my unscientific study, three characteristics or things in common the winners have:
1. They like to laugh.
Yep, nearly all of them have a marvelous sense of humor. And this is consistent with a Norwegian study that suggests folks who can laugh at life’s ups and downs live longer. For example, the study, which was presented at a meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society and reported by USA Today, followed a subgroup of 2,015 cancer patients for seven years, and found that the people who could laugh more easily and had a healthy sense of humor were 70 percent less likely to die than the poker-faced guys.
2. They are involved.
Yep. Each and every one of them was engaged in some type of project: babysitting their grandkids, participating in some writers’ group, working on a literacy campaign, or playing a part in the local theatre group. All the vibrant folks had some passion or life mission that got them up in the morning and gave them reason to wake up another day.
3. They watch what they eat and they exercise.
I was so hoping that this would not be the case, because I am aware that maintaining your weight gets more difficult with every year you hike down from that peak. Metabolisms slow and appetites grow, because energy starts disappearing like coal, and you can’t burn off the calories that used to crank up your metabolic rate. And will power? Well, it’s where the energy is … gone. Many studies have found that exercise keeps the mind in shape as well.
Well, that gives me plenty to work on this week. I don’t know about you.
Do you have any of your own observations?
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7 Comments to
“3 Things Healthy Older People Have in Common”
Hi, Therese -
I have a great example in my life . . . my 77-year-old mother and I went white water rafting last week — class 4 rapids — and it was HER idea! Ha!
- Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)
http://mmaaggnnaa.wordpress.com/
I’m 57 in real years, and 37 mentally. This is cruel and unusual punishment! Not shooting the rapids by any means but probably could if I wanted to. Great Blog, thank you, keri
You definitely MUST read “Younger Next Year” by Crowley & Lodge. That became my Bible… that and eating less meat!
a great blog, lovely to hear there is a load of healthy old people out there. But can I please just have a word for some that are not just the ticket when they they reach that grand old age.
Arthritus amongs the elderly is rfe. The Knees seem to come first, and then the hands.My dear wife is in constant pain day and night, but she still has fun and tries hard to forget the pain.
I reached the age of sixty and down I went with a heart problem, I have had a pace-maker fitted, but since then two other heart problems have reared their ugly head. I am also waiting for a knee relacement, due to being a ruby player in the early years. But, we don’t sit at home and do nothing. We have two granddaughters that keeps us young, and very busy. My message, is to those that are ailing in old age, is not to let it all get you down. Try and find that bit of you can explode into fun and excitement. We go to weekly excercise classes for the less able, and have great fun there. Well, I am going now, got rub the knee, dont you know! alfred
Does two out of three count?
My next door neighbor is 93, she has absolutely zero health problems, takes no medicines, she is mentally sharp, and on top of all this, really nice. Her husband was great too, but he died a few years ago.
She has no children, because of a genetic disorder running in her family. Both of her younger sisters were blind from it and have long since died.
Here is the problem I see.
It’s not that easy and great to be the one who outlives every one else. Every one of her friends and relatives is dead.
I invited her for both Christmas and Thanksgiving Dinner, and she was the hit of the party. She reads, is on top of the news, and even has strong opinions which I personally really like in a person.
She drives, shops, and her house and garden are immaculate. (no cleaning help)
She calls me ‘baby’.
When I was 30, I was ready for a Retirement Home. At 40, I was young again.
A couple of years ago, I was terminal.
Now, I have just decided that I don’t think my life is quite over yet, and I am trying to get reoriented.
I have heard it said, “Women my age are not as young as I am.” Childless and fit. Brilliant and brainless in equal measures.
This morning it’s autumn and drizzling. I can hear a chilly field cricket stuck under the throw rug calling. He sounds like The Buzzer for Summoning the Nurse, but the connection’s loose, or ghostly Morse code from lost explorers. Geez. Reading this again, so do I. Anyway, currently, middle-age, for me is lonely.
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 28 Jun 2009
