Bob Simonson never thought much about what it would be like to be ‘old’. “It was never on my mind,” said the retired teacher and cross-country ski enthusiast. “I guess I had pretty good role models. My aunts all lived well into their 90’s – one reached 104. They never slowed down much so I never really thought about aging as a negative.”
For many people, aging is synonymous with decline and its little wonder. From anti-aging skin creams to insulting greeting cards, we’re bombarded with messages that both subtly and not-so-subtly tell us that aging is to be avoided. However, research has proven that people with positive attitudes toward growing older actually live longer - a whopping 7.5 years longer! Not only do they live longer, but according to Becca Levy, PhD, a researcher at the Yale School of Public Health, they better recover from illness and injury, have better memory and brain performance, and feel a greater sense of control over their lives. Not surprisingly, these people are also more likely to talk to a doctor about health problems, get preventive care such as blood pressure screenings and flu shots, and engage in health promotion programs.
“Attitude is everything,” says Kris Krasnowski, executive director of the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging – a non-profit organization that offers evidence-based health promotion programs throughout Wisconsin. “Feeling confident in your ability to take care of yourself is a key factor in whether people take steps to stay well and that’s where health promotion programs come in.”
Now 89, Simonson maintains an active lifestyle – exercising daily, eating right, reading regularly, and socializing often. He agrees that how you feel about aging is important. “There’s always something to look forward to,” says Simonson, “I feel like I can take care of myself no matter what my age.”
Learn more about health promotion programs by visiting wihealthyaging.org.
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