Retirement can be good for your health A study in Australia compared people who had retired with those (of similar age) who were still working. Those who retired spent more time in physical activity and less time each day sitting down. Retirement also resulted in less smoking (for women) and healthier sleep patterns.
Less conflict brings makes us feel okay Psychologists have found that, as we get older, we experience motivational conflict less often. Motivational conflict is the feeling that you want to (or should) be doing something different from whatever you are doing. This feeling becomes less frequent with age and results
Accentuate the positive By thinking positively, you are not only improving your outlook on life, but also your physical health. Research has shown that your mental and emotional health improves with age through a bigger focus on positivity. Psychologist Laura Carstensen calls this ‘socioemotional selectivity theory’. People growing older
A Sense of purpose On the Japanese island of Okinawa, the community’s mantra is ‘ikigai’ meaning a sense of purpose. They believe ‘ikigai’ is key to extending your lifespan as well as living a better life. There is also great research into this. An eleven year study followed healthy people
Work in progress Is it better to retire or continue working? Research tells us that both can be beneficial. One study showed that those who worked in ‘mentally-demanding jobs had better cognitive functioning prior to retirement and a slower decline in cognitive ability post-retirement’. By remaining in work whilst still
The green and the blue Daily contact with nature improves the wellbeing of older people. Research conducted by the University of Minnesota found that ‘green and blue spaces are especially beneficial for healthy ageing in seniors’. These outdoor spaces promoted feelings of ‘renewal, restoration and spiritual connectedness’. Jessica Finaly researched
Giving and receiving Maintaining relationships is important at every age but, as people grow older, they may find it harder to access a social life and engage with others. Research tells us that older people generally have smaller social networks and their interactions may be mainly with family members. Older
Say Yes to Yoga Yoga is a wonderful activity to keep our muscles working and stretching but it also helps to relieve stress and calm our minds. Research has shown that yoga can have positive outcomes across an amazing array of measures. Physically, yoga can improve our balance, our mobility
Staying creative Bruce Miller, MD, a behavioural neurologist at University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, tells us: ‘While brains inevitably age, creative abilities do not necessarily deteriorate. Actually, the ageing brain responds well to art by allowing the brain’s two hemispheres to work more in tandem. This ability to
Changing Your Brain Can Be As Simple As Child’s Play
