Positive Aging: Embracing Change as You Grow Older
What do you think of when you hear the term "positive aging"?
The Australian Psychological Society defines positive aging as "the process of maintaining a positive attitude, feeling good about yourself, keeping fit and healthy, and engaging fully in life as you age."
Does this describe you? Do you view your own process of aging positively or negatively? What age do you think of as "old"?
In the past, 50 was seen as quite old! Do you remember the popular 1985 TV show "The Golden Girls"? Three of the women were in their 50s! If you were to watch the show now, you'd never believe it because they looked so much older than what 50 looks like today.
In this era, many 50-year-olds are just starting to build the second half of their lives. They are returning to school for new degrees, lifting weights, and opening businesses—not sitting around waiting to get old. Of course, there are always going to be those who are coasting through the last phase of their lives and have stopped living life to the fullest, but that doesn't have to happen.
Today, we are living longer, healthier lives. We are armed with the best research and information about how to stay fit in our body, mind, and spirit. There's no reason why we can't enjoy a full and active lifestyle in our 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond. So why do some people feel gloomy about midlife while others are invigorated at the prospect of the years ahead?
Does the Western World Have an Ageism Problem?
In the last decade, a global analysis conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed sobering statistics about negative attitudes toward aging. Drawing from the World Values Survey, which spans 83,000 participants across 57 countries, the data showed that 60% of respondents believe older people are not respected. These negative attitudes, mostly found in higher-income, westernized countries, can have detrimental consequences.
Research from Yale University's Department of Epidemiology and Public Health uncovered a startling connection between attitudes toward aging and life expectancy. In a long-term study of 660 individuals aged 50 and older, seniors with positive perceptions of aging lived, on average, 7.5 years longer than those who viewed aging negatively.
When older adults perceived themselves as burdens, they experienced increased risks of depression and social isolation—factors often described as "silent killers" due to their significant impact on health and longevity.
For those in midlife who are starting to stress about growing older, there is good news! Slowly but surely, there's a growing awareness in Western societies about the detrimental effects of ageism. Campaigns and organizations advocating for "active aging" and intergenerational inclusivity are gaining traction.
In fact, a recent report, "State of the (Older) Nation 2021", conducted by COTA Australia, indicates that nearly three-quarters (73%) of older Australians rated their quality of life highly, scoring seven or more out of 10.
Despite the youth-focused consumer culture, younger generations are becoming more open to viewing older adults as contributors to society rather than burdens. As 50 becomes the new 40, it seems the tide is turning against ageism.
The Asian Attitude Towards Aging
In contrast to the Western World, Eastern cultures offer a different perspective on aging and elders. In Southeast Asia and much of Central Asia, attitudes toward aging often feel like a refreshing departure from the Western world's prejudices. Many Asian cultures, like in Bali, Indonesia, place a high value on filial piety—a deep respect and honor for elders ingrained in Confucian, Buddhist, and Hindu traditions. In eastern cultures, elders are actively involved with family decisions and social life. With their years of wisdom, far from being "forgotten", they are respected and valued within their families and communities.
However, even in regions with strong cultural appreciation for older generations, modernization and urbanization are creating new hurdles. As younger generations move to bustling cities for work opportunities, traditional extended family systems are changing rapidly. With the new global economy, many elders are left behind in rural areas or face challenges accessing care and support.
The good news is that many countries in Asia are quickly stepping up. Forward-thinking new initiatives like intergenerational housing projects in Japan and Singapore are helping to blend traditional values with modern solutions, ensuring older adults feel respected and included.
A Movement Towards Positive Aging
Until quite recently, the media inaccurately portrayed aging as an inevitable burden to bear while focusing little attention on the freedom and pleasure many feel at this later stage of life.
Today, we've turned a corner and are edging towards positive aging. With the Boomer generation busy doing what they love and showing everyone they have no time to slow down, the new healthier-than-ever 50+ cohort is finally getting some respect.
By adopting a positive mindset view of aging, people can grow older with grace and strength. Of course, many issues of a person's health are genetic and out of their control. But there are far more aspects of health and aging that we have the power and information to change. Beyond positive aging, the concept also includes "healthy aging" as societies increasingly look to make better and healthier choices to improve longevity.
Top Tips for Positive Aging
Eric Kim, an affiliate researcher at Harvard's Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness, found "There's a connection between mindsets and healthy behaviours. One leads to the other."
Kim and other experts offer some great suggestions on how to adopt a more positive attitude about your own (inevitable) aging:
Maintain a sense of purpose by working part-time or finding professional projects that align with your core values.
Reject the negative stereotype that aging equals old, frail and poor physical health. Stay physically active and strong by doing a minimum of 30 minutes of movement or exercise daily. Tai chi, swimming and walking with a weighted vest are excellent choices for maintaining strong bone health and balance.
Don't forget to exercise your brain by engaging in mentally challenging activities. This is the perfect time to try something new or teach others your skills or crafts. Never stop learning new things!
Adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating a diet rich in protein and plants, getting adequate sleep (a fitness watch with a sleep tracker is excellent for this), managing your weight, refraining from smoking, and not drinking excessively.
Stay socially active and connected to other people by joining a club or volunteering with a community organization. Nurture close relationships with your partner, family, friends, neighbours, and others in your community. Reach out to young people—you might be surprised to find how much you can learn from each other.
Create a positive mindset for yourself by practising gratitude, mindfulness and meditation.
Accept and ask for help when necessary.
Set daily, monthly and annual goals for yourself and find an accountability partner to help you with the steps needed to achieve them.
Minimize stress by practising healthy coping techniques and learning to relax and unwind.
Advocate for your best health. Set reminders for regular medical check-ups and health screenings.
Take the Positive Aging Path for a Healthier Life
Forget about counting the years, and make the years count! For those of you who may struggle with maintaining optimism about the aging process, you're certainly not alone. But by reframing your thoughts, embracing the changes of growing older, and focusing on healthy suggestions, you can improve your mindset to reach positive aging. The time to start is now—because every day is a new chance to create a life filled with wellness, joy, and vitality.
At The Place Retreats, we specialize in creating transformative experiences that can help you embrace the beauty of aging and reconnect with your true self. In addition, you'll experience first-hand how the culture in Bali values aging and learn a lot about creating a more inclusive and respectful society for all generations—one where aging is celebrated, not feared.
With our tailor-made programs designed to rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit, our Balinese retreats provide the perfect environment to focus on wellness, mindfulness, and rediscovery. Take the first step toward positive aging, and let us guide you on a journey to living well at every age.
You only get one shot at this life. How do you want to live it? Make the positive choice now. After all, age is just a number.
Discover our upcoming Silver Youth and Golden Youth retreats—specially designed 10-day (or longer) programs tailored to inspire vitality and transformation. Contact us to learn more