You must have noticed that some people are worn down by hard work, while others thrive on it. The difference lies in complex social and psychological factors to which our bodies are constantly responding. Getting old and being old are two different things. Growing old happens in the mind; it is therefore uniquely variable in humans. After 20 years, any dog is an old dog; after 3 years, any mouse is an old mouse; after 100 years, any blue whale is a very old blue whale. In all these creatures, biological age is the only number that counts, yet everyone knows people who are young at 80 and others who seem old at 25 years. The great Renaissance man Sir Francis Bacon held a caustic opinion of old people-- "who object too much, consult too long, adventure too little, and repent too soon". This is the kind of old age everyone wants to avoid. Fortunately, nothing in our physical makeup forces it upon us. If we don't want to grow old, we can choose not to.
Psychologist Bernice Neugarten from the University of Chicago has given five factors, governing life satisfaction which in turn influence our 'getting old'. These are:
1. The person derives pleasure from daily activities.
2. The person regards his life as meaningful.
3. The person feels he has achieved his major goals.
4. The person holds a positive self-image and regards himself as worthwhile.
5. The person is optimistic.
Studies have shown that early aging is slowed down by good mental health and accelerated by poor mental health. Aging process is learned. People with good mental health teach their bodies to age well. Increased stress is often observed in the lives of those who become chronically ill and die young, but stress doesn't make people sick; giving up their inner adaptability to stress does.
The greatest threat to life and health is losing our spontaneity and sense of wonder. Children display tremendous vitality and rush at each day with open arms. This is natural to them and remains natural until they learn the dulling habits and attitudes that kill their spontaneous curiosity and wonder. As we grow older or mature, we start spending too much time in planning things. As a result, child-like innocence, creativity and pleasure are lost!
Psychologist Bernice Neugarten from the University of Chicago has given five factors, governing life satisfaction which in turn influence our 'getting old'. These are:
1. The person derives pleasure from daily activities.
2. The person regards his life as meaningful.
3. The person feels he has achieved his major goals.
4. The person holds a positive self-image and regards himself as worthwhile.
5. The person is optimistic.
Studies have shown that early aging is slowed down by good mental health and accelerated by poor mental health. Aging process is learned. People with good mental health teach their bodies to age well. Increased stress is often observed in the lives of those who become chronically ill and die young, but stress doesn't make people sick; giving up their inner adaptability to stress does.
The greatest threat to life and health is losing our spontaneity and sense of wonder. Children display tremendous vitality and rush at each day with open arms. This is natural to them and remains natural until they learn the dulling habits and attitudes that kill their spontaneous curiosity and wonder. As we grow older or mature, we start spending too much time in planning things. As a result, child-like innocence, creativity and pleasure are lost!
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