Nobody can escape the effects of aging, yet everyone still tries! Things like sudoku and jigsaw puzzles are great ways to keep your mind sharp at any age. And a good diet and exercise regime will help keep your body healthy and minimize the effects of aging. But all that worrying about growing older might be doing you harm. Did you know your attitude towards aging can actually affect the way you age?
Effects of a Bad Attitude Towards Aging
The way you feel about aging is oftentimes what you manifest as you age. It is a phenomenon known as stereotype embodiment. Researchers have found that the more negative stereotypes about aging an individual takes in, the higher the risk of developing dementia. People who view aging negatively are also less likely to recover from injuries or disabilities later in life.
A poor attitude toward aging can render you generally apathetic and derail your efforts to stay healthy as you get older. On the contrary, a positive attitude can improve your self-esteem and even help you live longer than your pessimistic counterparts.
Cultural Influence
The way older people are portrayed in TV and film plays a huge role in how people view aging. When aging is shown as lonely and depressing, most people assume that’s how it will be in real life. But when older people are portrayed as wise, active, happy, and fulfilled, people are more likely to feel positively towards aging.
It can be hard not to get bogged down in the negative stereotypes of aging, but you’ll find yourself much happier and healthier if you can break free from them.
How to Maintain a Positive Attitude About Aging
Here are a few tactics to remain optimistic about the years to come.
Stay Connected
The connections you make with other people are essential to your mental well-being. Maintaining relationships with friends and family as you age is a great way to feel connected and stave off feelings of loneliness or unimportance.
Remain Flexible
Your joints and muscles may not be as limber as they used to be, but there’s no reason your mind can’t stay flexible as you age. Keeping a flexible and fluid worldview (like the notion age is just a number) can help maintain a positive outlook.
Sweat It Out
Regular exercise is already one of the best things you can do for your body, but it can actually help improve your mood and overall sense of well-being. This is due to a large number of endorphins released during exercise, even low-impact exercise like walking.
Keep Your Stress in Check
If you feel like your life is getting more stressful as you get older, chances are you aren’t going to think positively about aging. But if you can manage to keep your stress in check, you’ll find the future looks much happier.
Orlando Assisted Living
Several independent living facilities in Orlando, FL, can help residents maintain their positive attitude towards aging. They take a lot of stress from everyday life away, such as home maintenance, and leave you with more time to focus on doing what makes you happy. There are also many Orlando assisted living facilities for people who need a little more care.
