{"id":21097,"date":"2020-09-21T19:15:21","date_gmt":"2020-09-21T19:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=21097"},"modified":"2020-09-24T00:13:00","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T00:13:00","slug":"things-that-get-better-with-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/things-that-get-better-with-age\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Things That Get Better with Age in Your Personal Life"},"content":{"rendered":"There are significant benefits of aging (emotional intelligence and sexual satisfaction among them) that no one seems to talk about\u2014until now.<\/em>\r\n\r\nFrom fine wine and vintage tees to Brad Pitt, some things inevitably get better with age. And contrary to many misconceptions, you (yes, you!<\/em>) can age successfully<\/a> over time as well.\r\n\r\nKeep reading if you’re curious about how to age well\u2014and better yet, why you should embrace aging\u2014throughout life’s later transitions.\r\n

5 Things That Get Better with Age<\/h2>\r\nHappiness, satisfaction, and self-determination<\/a> are all essential for a healthy, happy life. And thankfully, they’re all things that get better with time.\r\n\r\nHere’s a roundup of the top benefits of aging that will keep you optimistic for years to come.\r\n\r\n\"Group\r\n

1. YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE<\/h3>\r\nLaura Carstensen, PhD<\/a>, Director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, posits that older people experience several benefits of aging tied to emotional stability<\/a>.\r\n\r\nFirst, she says that advanced age can breed compassion. Second, since major life milestones\u2014such as major career shifts or purchasing your first home\u2014are typically out of the way, you’ll have fewer stressful decisions to make.\r\n\r\nIn short, older people become more settled into the rhythm of their lives and walk on solid ground.\r\n\r\nThen, perhaps the strongest marker of emotional intelligence in mature populations is the ability to see light in the face of mortality. When they have happy experiences, they often recognize and come to terms with the fragility of life. However, rather than being morbid or sad, they’re better able to live in the moment and appreciate what’s directly in front of them.\r\n\r\nThe takeaway: Older folks know how to be present and see the good in life.<\/em>\r\n

2. Your Recall of Positive Memories<\/h3>\r\nIn a series of experiments, researchers found that adults aged 65 to 85 recalled more information tied to positive than negative experiences<\/a>. Additionally, the amygdala (emotional center of the brain) showed higher engagement when participants were presented with images having happy associations.\r\n\r\nSimilar to the findings from the study above, your ability to focus on the good is one of the best things that get better with age. This benefit of aging is especially attractive for those who tend to let feelings of resentment, disappointment, and regret linger.\r\n\r\nThe takeaway: When positive, selective memory can be a good thing.<\/em>\r\n

3. Your Ability to Let Go of Negative Feelings<\/h3>\r\nA 2008 survey<\/a> of 340,000 Americans aged 18 to 85 found that by the age of 50, participants were much less likely to report holding onto stress and anger. In turn, hedonic well-being (affective feelings of happiness, pleasure, etc.) appears to improve by this age.\r\n\r\nAnother study supports this idea, showing that negative emotions become less frequent<\/a> even through the age of 60.\r\n\r\nThe takeaway: Older people have better things to do than cave into negative thinking.<\/em>\r\n\r\n\"Mature\r\n

4. Your Sex Life<\/h3>\r\nYes, you read that correctly! According to a study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, sexual satisfaction can actually get better with age.\r\n\r\nIn Sweden, researchers evaluated the sexual activity of septuagenarians<\/a> at present and two to three decades prior. They found that over time, men’s sexual activity increased from 47 to 66 percent, while women’s activity increased from 12 to 34 percent.\r\n\r\nIn addition, compared to younger groups, mature participants also cited:\r\n