I wrote about this article from Stanford News two years ago, but it’s worth repeating. Despite COVID-19 risks, older people experience higher emotional well-being than younger adults, Stanford psychologist finds:
What makes older people more resilient to stress than younger populations?
Two factors likely account for these age advantages. The first is experience: Older people have had more years to encounter stressful and negative experiences, and they’ve had more time to learn how to cope with these experiences, as well as what works for them and what doesn’t in times of stress. Another important factor is that older people experience changes in their motivations and goals. There is considerable evidence that older people are more motivated to focus on the good in their daily lives and accept rather than dwell on what’s bad. Instead of focusing on and worrying about the future, older adults tend to prioritize goals about the here-and-now.
What do you think younger people can learn about stress and well-being from older populations?
Time becomes more and more precious as we age – the older we get, the less time we have left – and it may be beneficial to focus our time, energy and motivation on what’s meaningful and less time dwelling on the negative aspects of life. It’s important to note that this type of shift isn’t a denial or avoidance of the negative aspects – it’s more about not becoming overwhelmed by the negative and focusing more attention and energy on what brings joy and pleasure.
Amen to that!
November 4, 2020
I witness some older population can be less tolerant of stressful situations while younger people are TOO blissful. Handling stress for any age is a matter of mindset and the psyche. I may even have to factor in the genes (DNA)
It does depend on the person…it pays to develop life skills.
Tom and I were discussing this very thing last night!
Presently we’re vacillating. He’s all about home improvements, while I want to have fun with the time remaining. Stay tuned!
Let us know. That should be good for a few great blog posts! It may be that home improvements would be fun for him.
i totally agree with all of this. Also, young people strggule to “find themselves”, and their place in this world.
Yes. It takes effort to figure that out.
I think finally accepting ourselves as we are has a lot to do with this.
And knowing what’s important to us, focusing on that. That’s my form of minimalism…it has nothing to do with material things. It has to do with how I focus my energy and my attention.
I was reading an article about the final Late Night with David Letterman visit by the late rock singer Warren Zevon. He and Dave both knew he was dying of lung cancer and when Dave asked him what he had learned, Zevon replied “Enjoy every sandwich.” I think lots of we seniors are doing that.
Well said!
I enjoy the many different ways we say that!
Right now, I’m muttering, when I think of it: “let go, let be, let in”.
AE
Nice and short. 🙂
aha I like that “enjoy every sandwich”
but on the other hand, I believe that how my life has unfolded has been just like a river that has flowed along, around a number of bends that I hadn’t realised were going to change certain things.
is it what I thought would happen, “no” and “why?” because I had a sense a few decades ago that I wanted something quite different.
and more recently I found that I was following a pathway that others thought I needed…I’ve just been thinking about that this last week and possibly that is why I’ve put of searching for a new home…
tonight I’ve rejigged where I’m sitting at my circular table – and I’m looking in a different direction. I did that because the sun was affecting my screen…but now I see a change again coming here, ummm
That’s interesting, especially about changing where you are sitting. I’m looking forward to hearing what comes next for you. 🙂
my favorite of the comments is the Enjoy every Sandwich. I think that is what a lot of us older seniors do, and also that time is short, we try to do what makes us happy. I do know that my life changed completely when i was no longer under the stress of the workplace. retirement is the difference for me
I know. It’s such a luxury to get to decide how we spend our time, and our energy and attention,
Everything in the article does make perfect sense. I do think it depends on the person though too.
Yes, the lucky ones figure it out. Not everyone does.