I've relaxed even more than my muscles have.
Posted on 02/18/2008 5:01:02 PM PST by blam
Older People Are Happy: Life Begins At 40 And 50 And 60
ScienceDaily (Feb. 18, 2008) — Growing old is a happier experience than many of us imagine - that’s according to the findings of a study conducted at Queen’s University, Belfast, on behalf of the Changing Ageing Partnership (CAP).
The study, which was conducted by Dr John Garry from Queen’s University, looked at young people’s attitudes to happiness in old age and how these attitudes affect their current health-related behaviour.
Dr Garry said: “We have all heard the saying ‘life begins at forty’. But it seems that many people, particularly young people, actually associate growing old with being miserable, meaning they don’t see any benefit in preserving their health for old age.
“Young people like to enjoy themselves, but this often means behaving in ways that can damage their future health. The harmful effects of alcohol, smoking and poor diet and fitness are well known, but many young people still binge-drink, smoke, avoid eating fruit and vegetables and fail to do regular exercise.
“This study aimed to find out whether this risky behaviour is associated with young people’s estimates of happiness in old age. Are they determined to ‘live it up’ while they are young because they are convinced that as they grow older they will become more and more miserable?
“The research found that, contrary to common belief, old age does not mean a decline in happiness - older people are just as happy as younger people. Whilst many young people associate old age with doom and gloom, this is not the case.
“We also found a strong link between the belief that happiness declines with age and levels of binge drinking by young men. It seems that these young men abuse their bodies through alcohol because, as they see it, there is little point in preserving their health for a miserable old age.
“Perhaps health professionals should consider this in their efforts to tackle binge drinking amongst young men. By addressing their incorrect perception that growing old is a miserable experience, they may be encouraged to drink more responsibly and take better care of their health.”
Archie and Margaret Lindsay, who are celebrating their 44th Valentine’s Day together, say they are perfectly happy in their old age. The couple attend the Newtownabbey Senior Citizens’ Forum. Mr Lindsay said: “I am surprised that so many young people think that getting older means being unhappy. My wife and I are both in our seventies and are as happy now as we were thirty years ago - and I think many of our friends would say the same. In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years!
“It’s important that young people realise that they can still enjoy life as they get older. As long as they make an effort to look after themselves, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t look forward to a happy and fulfilled old age.”
Adapted from materials provided by Queen's University, Belfast.
I’ve always been happy that I don’t have to be 10 again. Or 20. Or 30. Etc.
I’m 53, and the only reason I’m happy is because I don’t have to look at myself every day. Kids see us old guys and they don’t want to look like that. They like being young and good looking. As you age, you realize, “Hey! I don’t have to look at myself, it’s everyone else’s problem!” Of course, mirrors are a lot less fascinating.
This is beautiful: “Moments of Reason”.pps —
Grandchildren make growing old worth it.
The other thing is that you realize that there is so much that just does not matter.
Of course we’re happy ... happy to be alive!!!
Ha ha.
My first child was born wheni was 32.
All my high school classmates have kids that are all grown.
I can sit back and laugh, being content that my young-uns will keep me young and active.
Of course, the trade-off is that I’ll be 50 when they graduate.............
Of course, the alternative is not attractive.
No more periods!!!!!!!! Plus, you can have sex (with your spouse, of course) without worrying about getting pregnant! And when you’re finished playing with the grandkids, you can send them home. There are many good things about getting old.
Same #s here
I’m metal age myself. Gold in my teeth, silver in my hair and lead in my ass.
I’m six months away from the big 50, and I’m looking forward to it!
Every decade has been better than the last by leaps and bounds, so I can’t wait to see what my 50’s have in store for me.
One of the very few advantages of growing old
is that one can reach an age at which he can do
as he damn well pleases within the limits of his
purse.
LAZARUS LONG
hear, hear, baby!
Of course, the trade-off is that I’ll be 50 when they graduate.............
Probably won’t be an issue. My Dad was 50 when I was born and lived to be 97. I never thought about it growing up. He was as active as any other dad.
Confucius say:
at 40, I had no delusions
at 50, I began to see my destiny
at 60, I began to hear the truth and know it as it is
at 70, I began to obtain my hearts desires without error
We see the world, and our place in it
clearer as we get older
And begin to know peace
By better knowing the Source of all Peace
My Christian walk was miserably inept before age 40
and is as thin as tissue paper even now
Live in Peace
Live in Victory
Know that there is also Love in this World
Right,,
I’m 50. The Mrs. is 43.
Our kids are 7 and 2.
We wouldn’t trade our lives with anyone.
Loved your take on this RK!
I feel sorry for my wife and daughters however....
Ping.
Who are they calling OLD?
What's the matter? Run out of bandwidth?
I turned 40 this past December. My wife is 38, the kids are 12 and 6. How do I feel? Like I’m 25 still. Life just gets better over time but we do get wiser that’s for sure.
Xer Ping
Ping list for the discussion of the politics and social (and sometimes nostalgic) aspects that directly effects Generation Reagan / Generation-X (Those born from 1965-1981) including all the spending previous generations are doing that Gen-X and Y will end up paying for.
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I remember Rush saying something like that years ago, that he couldn't wait to be 50, because that's when you really start making big bucks, you're starting to peak in your career, and start to wield power and influence in the world. I was about 25 when he said that, but I really understand it now that I'm 40.
Pretty funny, I'm 57 and rarely look in the mirror anymore. But I do enjoy life more than ever and was a mostly happy soul until this election year came along.
Me too!
I’m 43 and my kids are 13 and 4.
I had my daughter when I was 44. I lost my wife when I was 47. I will be 61+ when my daughter gets out of high school. Having my daughter is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me, rearing her alone is the saddest. God has a sense of irony, he waited until I matured to have a child....
I've relaxed even more than my muscles have.
As far as age goes, I was going on 70 and still flying combat missions in a Blackhawk Helicopter in Iraq. My duty was a flight surgeon, but I flew every position including door guns so I may have been the oldest guy to fly a door gun in Iraq. Doctors can carry and fire weapons to protect themselves their crew and patients. so nothing illegal there. Age is just a state of mine, and even though I am now 71, I feel like 21 As the old saying goes if I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself. Jess
Boy ain’t that the truth.
What, you don’t believe I’m 31? :-)
Wow. Thanks for everything Doc. That’s impressive.
I’m 45 next week. Scary to think about the age as a number but really don’t care. I’m in good shape. Ride about 1200 miles on my bike each year and just started backpacking. If all goes right, me and my son and some other scouts will do about 80 miles on the trail this summer.
State of mind.
Good for you! I have an uncle who just turned 94, and that tough old bird was driving himself to the hospital several times a week to do volunteer work until recently. Said it was finally time to “retire” and enjoy life.
The problem in society isn’t growing old, it’s growing up. As long as we mature & progress, we don’t cling desperately to youth.
Certainly I miss the physical advantages of an earlier age (I’m now 51) but I just can’t make the mental trade-off. Back then I was stupid, crazy, & poorly equipped for the outside world. Wouldn’t want to relive that if you paid me.
Excellent...thank you.
When you're 20 you worry what everyone thinks about you.
When you're 40 you don't give a damn what anybody thinks about you.
When you're 60 you realize no one ever thought about you at all.
I've enjoyed every age for the most part, excepting the tragedies that all of us face over the course of years. If I had it to do all over again, I'd make all the same mistakes, only sooner. There was a great preacher down in Austin, Texas, Bill "the mailman" Martin. He said, "You don't run around because your body won't let you. You don't eat fancy foods because your stomach won't let you. You don't drink because your liver won't let you. You're not holy! You're old!"
Or the teenage social scene.
Cheers!
Bikes are the best thing for fitness -- except look out for the cars and other cyclists ;-)
Fish oil and stretching help too.
Cheers!
I don’t know about that. When you’re young and good looking, everyone thinks about you. I just did my niece’s senior portraits (I do photography). She was young and beautiful, and everyone paid attention to her. When I was a teenage guy, I was considered good looking, and women paid attention to me. As we age, people pay less attention to us. Many many moons ago I wrote a little riff on milestones in life, and remembered my mom talking about how devastating it was the first time she walked past several Marines and they got quiet and respectful.
Hey. Congrats!
I have one 46 YO and one 44 YO.
4 grandkids and 1 great grandkid.
Back when I was in my 20's I just couldn't imagine being 60.
Now that I'm well into my 60's I can't imagine how I "survived" my 20's.
(Ya couldn't pay me enough money to relive my 20's again or my 30's either for that matter)
ROTFL!!!
It’s all gravy.
Good Job! At least your ‘child’ was raised with enough common sense that he/she made it this far...and with some Grace. ;)
Turned 66 yesterday. Life keeps getting better!
And Free Republic is one of my many treasures. Thanks All.
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