Happiness Increases in Later Years

The adage that your best days are yet to come has basis in medical fact according to psychologists, as reported at BBC.

In a current study, University of California, Irvine psychologist Susan Turk Charles finds that people tend toward happier states of mind as they age.

A subtext to this finding is that with the western world’s baby boom generation beginning to reach retirement age, this demographic shift toward higher number of the elderly could literally happy the planet up.

Dr. Charles’ study finds that older adults have gained the emotional skills to navigate stresses and ward off worries, very much in spite of any background concerns they may hold regarding health or material well-being. Elderly individuals are less prone to succumb to darker moods, are better equipped to brush off criticism, and are more adept at achieving and maintaining a state of emotional balance.

There are also lessons in this study and its findings for younger folks who are keen to put the pieces into place for having a happier life now. Tips younger adults can apply to creating contentment now, setting them up well for happy later years, include simply imagining a long and healthy life, structuring activities to support the positive vision, and diversifying one’s activity portfolio by making time for activities beyond work and family.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Doheny, via Flickr