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While aging does bring its physical and emotional challenges, it can also truly be your wonderful golden years. Age brings with it a wealth of experience and experiences you can share with the young. It brings with it a serenity and a desire to help others. You’re an inspiration to the younger generation.

Aging:  You’re A Fountain Of Knowledge

They’re called the golden years for a reason. Getting older has its perks. For one, you’re good at using what you’ve learned. This is called crystallized intelligence, and it keeps getting better, even when you’re 65 or 70.

Aging:  You’re A Nice Person

Turns out you might not be a grumpy old man (or woman), after all. You’ll probably get more agreeable as you age, at least through your 60s. You’re also likely to be happier and less inclined to get angry. Scientists haven’t figured out exactly why this happens, but they do have some theories. Older people might control their emotions better, and focus more on how to make the most of life.

Aging: Get Along With Others

You’re more in tune with other people’s emotions in your 40s than at any other time in your life.  That insight into how others think and feel can make living with your loved ones easier and help you get along better with your coworkers, too.

Aging: A Taste For Life

As you age, medications, illness (colds, flu, gum diseases, etc.) and allergies all can change your sense of smell and taste. And that can affect your diet and health. If you find things need to be spiced up, try some olive oil, herbs like rosemary and thyme, garlic, onion, peppers, or mustard. Just stay away from the salt.

Aging: Early To Rise, Productive Day

There’s a good chance you’ll become the morning person you’ve always wanted to be, in your 60s. Our sleeping patterns can shift as we age, so we get sleepier earlier and wake up earlier. That seems to work out well. One study showed that even though folks over 65 tend to wake up during the night, most said they regularly get a good night’s sleep.

Aging: Where Did My Migraine Go?

Once you hit your 70s, those migraines you may have had much of your life may go away. Only 10% of women and 5% of men over 70 still report migraines. Even better news: Even if you have a migraine, it may not actually come with the headache. As we age they’re more like to show up as visual or sensory disturbances instead.

Aging:  Keep Working

Early retirement might not be the best thing for your health, unless you have a fun second career. A study called the Longevity Project found that people who work hard at a job they enjoy live the longest. That, along with good friends and a good marriage, could be the key to sticking around a while.

Aging: Fear Not

You may worry more about breaking bones as you age. But you’re more likely to take a tumble if you’re scared of falling. One study found that about a third of adults over 65 have that fear. And it’s understandable, because falls are the leading cause of injuries for older people.

Aging: Self Confidence

Self-esteem soars as you age, studies show, and increases with wealth, education, good health, and employment. But it takes a dip after 60. That may be because people begin to have health issues and start searching for a new sense of purpose following retirement. However, the good news is that with increasing life spans and healthier lifestyles, we can see that change.

Aging: Less Stress

Baby boomers and older adults report less stress than their younger counterparts, according to the American Psychological Association’s annual Stress in America report. That doesn’t mean, it goes away. Health and money problems still crop up. But, the APA says, 9 of 10 older adults say they’re doing enough to manage it.

Aging: Strength In Numbers

The graying of America may be a good thing for you. Those 60 and over tend to cast ballots more than any other age group. And they’re the fastest-growing block of voters in the U.S. these days. That means more voting power on topics that matter as you age such as Medicare, Social Security, and health care.

Conclusion

Live Long.