We'd all like to make it to 100 -- but let's face it, some people age a lot more gracefully than others. What's the difference between someone who looks and feels vibrant in midlife and beyond -- and someone who's sick, sad, and already old?
Scientists are turning up some surprising key factors: approaches to attitude and lifestyle that not only add years to your life but add a better quality of life to your years.
"Studies on successful aging have shown that only one third of what predicts how well we age is controlled by genetics. About two thirds is based on our personal lifestyle choices -- and is therefore under our control," says psychiatrist Gary Small, director of the UCLA Center on Aging and author of The Longevity Bible (Hyperion).
Here are five longevity factors you can do something about.
affirms that i am doing the right thing about my golden years and beyond, exercise, laugh, love and be with people who enhance ourselves, and most of all i indulge myself with attention and plenty of rest, plus being comfy with my God
This is a very good and useful information for all!! The suggestions boost the immune system for healthier physical as well as emotonal state.
its really good information for evryone...
it affirms that my present attitude towards life, aging, death and loving is proper. i will just have to sustain my positive views while i am going to that stage in life, i want to grow old gracefully
For me, it's red wine. BetterAfter50.com
This is great and empowering information. We at the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation are delighted to see that this advice is in line with our 4 Pillars of Prevention. Not only will you live long and well by following this prescription, you will also do everything possible to stay away from Alzheimer's!
It encourages me to try new things. I am not apt to do that on my own.
friendships are also very important as we age...being I stopped working and am home with my 92 year old mom I dont get a of time to enjoy friendships as I once did....I did a blogtalk radio show...(my therapy and hobby) on friendships and how I try to deal. I hope you can listen and find it helpful..http://tobtr.com/s/1615661
This has been very helpful, for a while I fell off track. Just this week I have started writing to friends, rather then emails, and starting to exercise. I bought a math book, to work on my math skills. I also bought an American Sign Language book. I am moving in a couple of months and hope to find a class to practice ASL. Thanks for this timely article. sSign book o
As we age we know, see and feel the changes that occur. More then anything is your attitude that will allow you to deal with now and face the inevitable. Also, a sense of humor is of enormous assistance to your own self esteem and a huge help if you are a caregiver to be able to laugh together over some of the rough spots.
great article!! I absolutely loved it....I am 51..Im married almost 31 years and we have a 23 year old son. It should have been him and me alone once again but we now are once again three as my 92 year old mom lives here with us since 2007 after having a heart attack. It gets challenging at times however Im still very enthusiastic and try my best to make my dreams come true despite my circumstance. My husband encouraged me to start a blog and I did about a month ago...Im an amateur...it truly is my therapy however it is a lot of fun. I also have done two blogradio shows...its almost like a verbal journal....Im planning on doing my third one this week one day.....my blog is www.50plusstickingtogether.blogspot.com sites like this and meeting new people inspire me...keeping in touch with people and being interested in all sorts of things despite circumstances is what makes dreams come true.... www.50plusstickingtogether.blogspot.com
All that I have read in this article are quite informative and useful as we go on with our daily lives. Thanks a lot for all the informations.
Thanks for the informations.
the positive feedback played a great impact for me.it gave me a more boost up of a attitude.i feel and look forward to my 3/days a week exercise every week,i feel good about myself.listening to your feedback really help me,and i thank you.
Love the article. To be honest, some of the suggestions I am already doing and thinking. I am more busier than I ever been in my life. School, work, dating...having a ball and I over 60. My spiritual life is on point. I love the Lord and through Jesus I can do just about anything. Money is tight, but where there is a will there is a way. Thanks for this wonderful articule and clarification.
I like the mental aerobics tip....keeps the mind going.
I've been in the caring proffession for over 12 years, empowering adults with (dis)abilities. I have now changed direction and am going into long term and palliative care. I'm sure I will get all sorts of awesome info, already have! Bless you and thank you!!
I just agree of whar you said because it's true. That's what am doing and people say I don't look like my real number! Eagle'swing320
I thought that the article vas very helpful because it brought up different points that made me think about different situations that I am dealing with and it made them more clear to me. Keep going the same way and if I think of anything when I read your articles, I will definitely give an input.
i like this very much i am a 68 i still feel like i am about thirthy i still work i injoy my job sometime i get a little worry that i am trying to be young. is it all right for me to have fun with my childred and my codeworker it keep me going all the time
Inspiring articles. Exercise brain & body as the ancient greeks did.
My mother died of Alzheimer and I know what is it . In my family my grandmother also died of it and my untie ( mother's sister is also suffering presently. Although doctor says it is due to mild brain stroke) I am afraid this is going to inherited next to me. I am so scared I am 56 years. I feel so helpless about it. God please help me .....I My deep feelings for all the Alzheimer patient world wide. I am always with you.
I´m really glad to read this, as older we´re getting, health problems are growing, we must take care of us, and I really apreciate your tips
Prayers Joy
my first post went in anonymously. I am not the caregiver, I am the ill one. My husband is the caregiver, and I try to help as much as possible. But I have lost friends and family members because of this illness. It just doesn't get a lot of understanding and support. I enjoyed the info in the article and do much of it., but illness gets in the way a lot of doing and enjoying these things. Now I hope this goes in with my user name attached.
Why is illness ignored, and how to deal with it better, and other's negative reactions to it. There are many good ideas in here but that is not mentioned. Many women are afraid of getting ill or are ill. Some illnesses, like breast cancer have a huge support network, other illnesses receive little support, not even from friends and family. One has to dig deep into inner strength to get through such an illness, and sometimes it is hard to carry on.
excellent article on active, positive ageing. Add gardening to the mix of activities...anything more wonderful than growing your own vegies, I play music to mine! And I have the most wonderful dark leaved plants amongst the light green leaves, gives a depth and richness, a vibrant texture to the garden. Enjoy all you can at all times - with two arthritic knees and a cardiac problem, I try to make the most of every little thing.
Hugs Maxinefan
Terrific stuff!
Hugs franklina
Hey, hey, hey! I'm 68 this month and feeling great!!! I enjoyed this article and find I'm already doing most of the things suggested. I'm very active in my church and I walk almost everywhere I go.. I'm the old lady with the big golf umbrella to help protect me from the sun. I also use sunblock since I'm in Arizona. I eat right and I'm on the internet quite a bit learning new things about the subjects that interest me. I do a lot of volunteer work for my church and I love it. I work with people and I know I am both appreciated and loved. I also have much time alone with my God. I have a great relationship with others, with myself and with my God. I love and I am loved. I often imagine I have already crossed over to the other side. I'm standing at the Beema seat of Christ. What do I wish I had done? What do I wish I hadn't done! What could I have done to make amends for my mistakes. If I had one more day to live, How would I live it? If only I had a second chance! Voila! I do have a second chance. Today! I have made an appointment to get checked over by my doctor, one who advocates the natural health methods I use. I want to get a blood panel done and whatever will reveal the condition of my health. It's a yearly ritual. Last year, when my doctor sent me the results of my tests, she printed "WOW!" Thank you, God. And every day before I get up I thank God for ten things. Then I cuddle up and listen to audio Bible for about an hour. One more day to live for God and others. YAY!
All the information about diet- exercising etc is very informative. I really had no idea as to how important all these factors are. There are many tips that I will apply to my own well being. Thank you so very much for all of this very important data.
I like knowing I have control over more then I thought I did. That gives me a better chance of aging on my terms.
Concise, usable information for all!
The emphasis on happiness...leading a joyful life. Get rid of those high maintenance "friends." The fact that one has to really study their patterns in order to really know the self.
This is a very informative article. It has many suggestions for aging that I plan to put to use. Thank you
My mother also died of Alzheimer. I know what it means.Initially no one of the family has the clue of why she is repeating the same word again and again.,why she is saying something which has no meaning. while she is fine of everything . Doing everything OK.When I we realized it is too late. I pray that no one should have suffer of it. We must give due importance towards it when it starts and not laugh to Alzheimer patient. God please help us.
Hugs Maxinefan
My mother died of Alzheimer. I know what is it. I pray that no one should have suffer of it. We must give due importance towards it when it starts and not laugh to Alzheimer patient.
It confirms what I am doing is healthy. I see my glass half full, always look for the silver lining when things aren't going well. I continue to work on improving my activities, and try not to be stagnate. Also I don't see myself as a number, one year as told someone I was 34 it turned out I was 33, so I was 34 for two years. Unless I look in the mirror I don't feel any older then I felt in my late twenties! I still manage to laugh if I don't do something right.