Roughly 44 million people in the United States are now 65 or older, and by 2050, an estimated 387,000 could reach age 100. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) studied factors that influence longevity and found that Americans age 95 and up have more positive attitudes toward life, are more extroverted (gain energy from being active in the world around them), and have less emotional distress than the general, younger population. They are also more socially active and practice resilience, especially during setbacks and other negative circumstances.
The willingness and ability to persevere after a setback is essential to our overall well-being and continued personal growth. While we can’t control the setbacks in our lives, it’s important to remember our sense of resilience. We see this at Acacia Creek where residents practice safe social engagement with one another, adjust to the changes around them, and continue to engage in what brings them happiness.
Having this of resilience and clarity allows us to explore the possible actions to get around these roadblocks and keep us on our path. This is done through our daily habits and purposeful activities; those small steps we take every day. When done consistently and passionately, these small habits contribute to our overall wellness and our unique successful aging journey.
Here are some tips to improve and practice your resilience:
Think positively and stay engaged: Remaining positive, being intentional, and staying engaged in all aspects of your life is a key component of building resilience. Exchange negative thoughts for positivity; focus on the possibilities of what can be.
Find your purpose: Everyone needs a reason to get out of bed every morning. Find what brings meaning to your life—even if it what is meaningful to you does not seem meaningful to others. Some people may find that their purpose remains the same throughout their lives, but many people need to continually explore new interests as they age and grow.
Invest in your relationships: Almost all relationships ebb and flow over time, so it is essential to keep expanding your personal circles along with other forms of growth. Within your relationships, make an effort to make your loved ones, friends, and colleagues feel appreciated and to identify how they make you feel appreciated in return.
My golf teacher used to say, “Practice makes muscle patterns.” This is true with anything we do. The more consistently we practice our resilience, the more likely we are able to elevate our longevity. May we all create the purposeful habits to keep us on our path of successful aging during this Spring season.
Penny Vittoria
Successful Aging Coach
