Health …
THE POWER OF POSITIVITY IN LATER LIFE
I
t’s easy as you get older, and your health and independence start taking a knock, to allow
negativity to inform you approach to life. Doing so can impact your relationships with family and friends and have a profound effect
“
Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow
”
– Helen Keller
on your physical and mental wellbeing. Staying positive, however, comes with a host of benefits – and there’s research to prove it.
LOWERS THE INCIDENCE OF HEART ATTACKS AND DEPRESSION
REDUCES THE RISK OF DEMENTIA
According to WebMD.com, “When
A 2018 study by the Yale School of
grateful, your mind and body
Public Health found that seniors
respond in kind. People with a
who held positive beliefs about
rosier outlook live longer and have
growing older were less likely to
fewer heart attacks and depression
develop dementia. Interestingly,
than more negative people.”
you choose to be optimistic and
even those who were genetically
While society often focuses on
at a greater risk of developing the
the negative aspects of aging, there
disease were almost 50% less likely
is plenty to be positive about in old
to develop it than those who held
age. Here are some of the pluses –
negative beliefs about growing old.
perhaps give some thought to what you can add to this list?
IMPROVES MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH
• The many life lessons you’ve
A study conducted at Trinity
• The wisdom you’ve gained as a
College in Dublin found that approaching old age with a negative attitude led to physical and cognitive decline. Conversely, those who approached it with a positive attitude saw an improvement in their cognitive ability. 40
SILVER DIGEST // AUTUMN 2019
learnt over the years. result of those lessons. • Being able to spend your time any way you like. • Making fewer mistakes thanks to the experience you’ve gained. • Spending quality time with your friends, family and community.•
How can you adopt and maintain a positive attitude in later life?
1 Approaching each day with a positive attitude is MAKE IT A CHOICE
often a conscious decision. But like anything you start – and stick to – the good news is that being positive eventually becomes your default setting.
2 Research shows that appreciating the good in your PRACTICE GRATITUDE
life can have positive emotional and interpersonal effects. So, make a list of everyone and everything you’re grateful for and take a few moments to reflect on them each day.
3 Spending too much time alone with your thoughts ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY
can open the door to negative thoughts and feelings. Instead, surround yourself with positive people and let their positivity rub off on you. If you’re part of a retirement village or community, share a cup of coffee or a meal with a friend or neighbour, join in a card game, or get together with fellow villagers around shared hobbies and interests.
Sources: yale.edu, psychologytoday.com This article is published courtesy of Evergreen Lifestyle Villages. www.evergreenlifestyle.co.za
