A new study published in the journal Geriatrics found that attitude plays a crucial role in how well people age, with more than 45% of participants showing improvement in thinking skills and walking speed over a decade-long follow-up of more than 11,000 seniors. Research shows that people with positive attitudes toward aging were more likely to experience these improvements, challenging the stereotype that physical and mental decline are inevitable with age.
Study Findings and Research
Researchers gauged mental and physical health using a cognitive exam testing short-term memory and math skills, along with a simple walking test. A slower gait—typically less than about 4 feet a second—can indicate underlying health issues. A 2023 study found that people with more positive feelings about aging reported less frequent concentration or focus problems. Additionally, a 2022 study following 14,000 adults over age 50 for four years found that those with the highest satisfaction with aging had a 43% lower risk of dying from any cause compared to those with more negative attitudes, and also had lower risk of chronic conditions.
How Positive Attitude Affects Aging
Dr. Becca R. Levy, co-author of the new study and a professor of social and behavioral sciences at the Yale School of Public Health, explained that earlier research shows people who are more positive about aging have increased self-confidence about their thinking, which can improve memory and general cognitive skills. Positive thinking also tends to make people more resilient and social—and studies show that healthy connections keep people healthier overall. People who remain positive are also more likely to use preventive health services, according to a 2014 study.
Real-World Examples
The research was inspired in part by long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad, who made a 53-hour, 110-mile world-record swim from Cuba to Florida at age 64. Now at 76, Nyad says she “doesn’t have any perception of age whatsoever” other than when looking in the mirror, and maintains her vitality and energy. Similarly, Dr. John Adler, a 72-year-old neurosurgeon and emeritus professor at Stanford, was recently named to the National Inventors Hall of Fame for the CyberKnife. He stated, “I feel, cognitively, not that much different than I did 30 years ago.”
Practical Suggestions
Experts recommend focusing on realistic daily goals, practicing positive self-talk, focusing on what can be controlled through healthy eating and exercise, and keeping positive people in your life. Participants in Atlanta’s free Primetime Seniors program—which offers yoga, line dancing, computer classes, and swim lessons—emphasized the importance of staying active and maintaining social connections.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.wlfi.com/news/when-it-comes-to-aging-well-attitude-is-everything/article_e5c36e20-7101-5a23-82c7-8b0eaf69f007.html