4 .) Those subjected to negative aging stereotypes drive faster and much less safely .
5 .) Negative aging stereotypes encourages poor and shakier handwriting .
6 .) Being exposed to negative stereotypes about aging triggers added stress-heightened cardiovascular responses in the body , whether a person is aware of it or not .
7 .) People who feel good about aging tend to take better care of themselves , practice preventative medicine , and eat better .
8 .) Memory and brain function increased in older participants when subjected to positive aging subliminal messages that directly related to one ’ s self-image . On the other hand , negative aging subliminal messages resulted in poorer memory and brain function .
9 .) Holding a positive view of aging gives a person an added 7.5 years of life over those with less positive views of aging .
By recognizing the true cause of some of our experiences , we start realizing that age doesn ’ t have to be as negative as we ’ ve sometimes believed .
Hang around with people who see aging in a positive way and avoid those who don ’ t . Just like so many things in life , the people around us have a huge influence on our thinking and quality of life . While it might not be easy to break off from those who see aging in a negative way , our health and happiness actually depends upon it .
Make a habit of thinking of the benefits of your advancing age rather than the detriments . While thinking of ourselves as younger than we really are might be advantageous at times , as we age it is wise to stay open to the opportunities of continuous growth and possibility . Even when there are certain things we can no longer do like we did when we were young , if we continue to develop new ways to relate to the world and hold a positive perspective on that , the future can be hopeful .
We live in exciting times because the overall view of aging and what it means to all of us as we grow older is more positive than ever . Finding out why some people age in a positive and healthier way compared to others is under study by dozens of organizations on a regular basis . Learning to make the most of every stage of our lives is always SMART . And just like at all ages , staying aware of what we think and feel about others and ourselves is a key to a healthy and happy life . Learn more at smartliving365 . com
The good news is , as Professor Becca Levy says , “ What people aren ’ t aware of is that they have the ability to overcome and resist negative stereotypes ” and “ compensate for the ill effects of automatic ageism .” Now that we know about some of the results of current studies , here are six things we can do to reverse some of the trends of negative aging stereotypes and feel better about ourselves as we age :
Recognize the many benefits of aging . Continue to educate yourself about the realities of aging — rather than blindly accepting the cultural bias . Selectively read information that increases your knowledge about the positive aspects of aging , while refusing to read or study those that imply otherwise .
Exercise ! Studies show that people ( especially women ) feel better about their age when they exercise regularly .
Stop watching so much television — especially comedies . A study done in 2005 shows that the more a person watches television the more likely they are to have a negative view of aging . Situation comedies are the worst . Also of concern is the invisibility of older adults and seniors on network programming in ways that contributes to the negative stereotyping of an aged population .
Refuse to blame some of your experiences on your age . Multitasking or not paying attention is usually the culprit behind memory problems , but many of us routinely blame it on our age . Stop it ! In addition , many health issues like lack of flexibility , weight , and even poor health happen more as a response to our day-to-day life choices rather than our age .
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