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Older People Are Happy: Life Begins At 40 And 50 And 60
Science Daily ^ | 2-18-2008 | Queen's University

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.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: genx; happiness; happy; life; older; people; psychology; seniors
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To: inneroutlaw

Ping.


21 posted on 02/18/2008 6:01:06 PM PST by elkfersupper
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To: blam

Who are they calling OLD?


22 posted on 02/18/2008 6:01:45 PM PST by gathersnomoss (General George Patton had it right.)
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To: Larry Lucido
Or 20. Or 30. Etc.

What's the matter? Run out of bandwidth?

23 posted on 02/18/2008 6:02:39 PM PST by ShadowDancer ( Losers always look for excuses. Winners never quit.)
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Comment #24 Removed by Moderator

To: qam1; ItsOurTimeNow; PresbyRev; Fraulein; StoneColdGOP; Clemenza; m18436572; InShanghai; xrp; ...

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.

Freep mail me to be added or dropped. See my home page for details and previous articles.  

25 posted on 02/18/2008 6:22:14 PM PST by qam1 (There's been a huge party. All plates and the bottles are empty, all that's left is the bill to pay)
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To: SandyInSeattle
"I’m six months away from the big 50, and I’m looking forward to it!"

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.

26 posted on 02/18/2008 6:25:11 PM PST by boop (Democracy is the theory that the people get the government they deserve, good and hard.)
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To: Richard Kimball
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.

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.

27 posted on 02/18/2008 6:32:40 PM PST by Inyo-Mono (If you don't want people to get your goat, don't tell them where it's tied.)
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To: TheRobb7

Me too!

I’m 43 and my kids are 13 and 4.


28 posted on 02/18/2008 6:36:10 PM PST by angcat (Indian name "She who yells too much")
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To: TheRobb7

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....


29 posted on 02/18/2008 6:44:41 PM PST by vetvetdoug (Just when one thinks life is strange, it gets stranger.)
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To: blam; patton; Gabz
In the end, it’s not the years in your life
that count, it’s the life in your years!


couldn't have said it better myself. :)
30 posted on 02/18/2008 6:47:24 PM PST by leda (don't forget the baby shoes)
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To: Graybeard58
55!

I've relaxed even more than my muscles have.

31 posted on 02/18/2008 6:48:56 PM PST by bannie (clintons CHEAT! ALLLLLWAYS!)
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To: Larry Lucido

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


32 posted on 02/18/2008 7:00:20 PM PST by jesseam (Been there and done that!)
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To: Richard Kimball

Boy ain’t that the truth.


33 posted on 02/18/2008 7:11:00 PM PST by GOP Poet
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To: ShadowDancer

What, you don’t believe I’m 31? :-)


34 posted on 02/18/2008 7:12:10 PM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: jesseam

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.


35 posted on 02/18/2008 7:13:33 PM PST by cyclotic (Support Scouting-Raising boys to be men, and politically incorrect at the same time.)
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To: jesseam

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.


36 posted on 02/18/2008 7:14:05 PM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: blam

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.


37 posted on 02/18/2008 7:48:46 PM PST by MoochPooch (I'm a compassionate cynic.)
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To: jesseam
"I was going on 70 and still flying combat missions in a Blackhawk Helicopter in Iraq."

Excellent...thank you.

38 posted on 02/18/2008 8:05:45 PM PST by blam (Secure the border and enforce the law)
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To: Richard Kimball
I’m 53, and the only reason I’m happy is because I don’t have to look at myself every day.

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.

39 posted on 02/18/2008 8:13:46 PM PST by groanup (Don't let the bastards get you down.)
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To: MoochPooch
Back then I was stupid, crazy, & poorly equipped for the outside world. Wouldn’t want to relive that if you paid me

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!"

40 posted on 02/18/2008 8:19:37 PM PST by Richard Kimball (Sure, they'd love to kill me, as long as they can do it without admitting I exist)
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