Physical and mental health will decline with age, so many people are afraid of getting old. Are you one of those who are worried about this? Don't think negative first, getting old also has many advantages, you know.
Gray hair that starts to grow, the appearance of wrinkles on the face, to a physique that is not as fit as it used to be are some of the reasons why many people are afraid of getting old. In fact, getting old is not always bad because when you live your old age well, your life can be happier, especially if you do something useful.
The reason you don't need to be afraid of getting old
As you get older, you will get more experience and life lessons. You also don't need to worry too much, because there are many benefits to be gained from increasing age, such as:
1. Understand yourself better
The older you get, the more you understand yourself so you know what you really want in life. By knowing the desired goals, you can plan what you will do in the years to come.
Not surprisingly, many people at the age of 40 years and over begin to look at new careers or take up new hobbies. The goal is no longer just to make money, but for personal satisfaction.
2. It's easier to forgive
The life experiences that the elderly have gone through make them tend to be more forgiving and not easily irritated when they get negative responses when interacting with other people. This is the reason why older adults are judged to be more forgiving than young adults.
3. Increased sexual satisfaction with partner
Many older couples find better sexual satisfaction during intercourse. Sexual satisfaction can be achieved for various reasons.
Apart from being able to be more accepting and comfortable with their bodies, the amount of time and togetherness spent with their partners also makes sexual relations more enjoyable.
Not only that, intimacy and the absence of worries about getting pregnant are also reasons for increased sexual satisfaction.
4. More able to control emotions
If you were irritable before, then getting older makes it easier for you to control your emotions. In fact, you become less irritable and tend to appear happier than young adults, especially if you are in your 60s.
The cause of these emotional changes in old age is not known with certainty. However, there is research that supports the theory that as people age, people tend to think more positively than they did before.
This is because they realize that the time left in their lives is more limited, so they will direct their attention to positive things.
5. Happier
Happiness should not look at age, but in fact happiness will increase with age.
Why is that? In fact, the elderly are more able to enjoy life and be grateful for every little thing they do, such as going to the nearest restaurant with their friends.
Not only happier, the stress level experienced by the elderly also tends to decrease compared to young adults. Even if there are health and financial problems, 9 out of 10 elderly people tend to be better able to deal with them in various ways.
Don't Limit Your Ability
Even though you are old, it doesn't mean you stop developing yourself. you know. There are many things you can do to be happier in your old age, such as:
1. Do things you like
Use the free time available to pursue a hobby that you enjoy, or find a new hobby such as learning a language or playing a new musical instrument.
These kinds of activities are not only fun, they can develop skills and help keep the brain active. In fact, your social network can be wider, you know.
2. Make time to exercise
If previously you rarely exercised because you were busy, it's not too late to make time to exercise regularly. Apart from keeping the body in shape, exercising helps reduce the risk of senile dementia. Choose a sport you enjoy such as cycling, gardening, or walking.
3. Stay bsocialization
As you get older, spending time with your family becomes more enjoyable. However, don't forget to stay social with friends.
Friendships can increase self-confidence, self-esteem, and make you feel happy. Even socializing can help improve your memory.
4. Develop yourself in your field
Even though you are already a senior, don't want to be outdone by the development of knowledge in your field. Try to keep your skills and expertise up to date by taking courses or training.
5. Volunteer
Volunteering has been shown to reduce the risk of depression, improve physical health, reduce the risk of heart disease and prolong life. You can volunteer according to your area of expertise.
6. Make plans and goals
Increasing age and busyness sometimes make you no longer have a purpose in life. In fact, having a goal to keep your brain healthy and happy. In studies found that mental decline in people who have plans and goals will be slower.
Growing old is not a scary thing because there are many lessons that you can learn. However, if you find it difficult to get rid of negative thoughts related to aging or feel lost in enthusiasm and passion for life, it's a good idea to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist.
