When It Comes to Mental Health, Age Can Be an Asset

Today’s older adults are defying outdated stereotypes about aging, and that’s especially true when it comes to emotional well-being. In fact, the latest psychological research suggests that the older we get, the better we become at navigating worries, stressors, and challenges in a constructive way.

And in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, here are four surprising ways being older and wiser can also make you happier and healthier:

1. Aging makes us more emotionally resilient, not less. As our understanding of psychology improves, experts agree that a big part of mental well-being is not about avoiding challenges, but weathering them without losing sight of the good things in life. That’s a skill that improves with age: Older adults tend to place greater emphasis on positive events and less on negative ones, feel more gratitude, and remember past events in a more forgiving light.
2. With age comes wisdom—and better coping strategies. Younger people, especially those in their teens and twenties, tend to process negative events in the amygdala – a part of the brain associated with strong and instinctual fear. By contrast, older adults have more connectivity between the amygdala and the “rational” prefrontal cortex, allowing them to reason through difficulties and compare the current situation to past experiences.
3. The older we get, the more we focus on the activities and people that matter most. In a phenomenon called “socioemotional selectivity,” older adults tend to be more likely to invest time and energy in emotionally meaningful activities, like spending time with friends and loved ones, pursuing rewarding hobbies, and living in the moment. Growing older also makes us more likely to forgive and help others—and in the process, build stronger relationships.
4. Emotional wellness may help us feel younger, longer. It’s a well-researched observation that adults who have more positive attitudes toward aging tend to have better physical and cognitive health and, according to one study, can live an average of 7.5 years longer. That may extend to mental health as a whole: Researchers have found evidence that happiness and social connection are associated with slower biological aging.

If you’re ready to take control of your happiness and health, a Mayflower Life Plan can help you get started. Our vibrant environment empowers you to enjoy all the best life has to offer—social events, entertainment, culture, learning, fitness, and more—with complete freedom. And with award-winning healthcare right on campus, you’ll never have to worry about the “what-ifs”.

Send us a message or give us a call at (407) 672-1620 to request more information or schedule your personal tour. We look forward to hearing from you!