The Nicest Things about Growing Old

Rebecca Lewis January 23, 2014

A lot of people are scared of growing old. Who wouldn’t? It means growing white hairs and wrinkles, having less time for parties and fun activities, spending more time indoors, and most of all – having a boring, cold, lonely life. If you think this way, you probably are still too young. Contrary to popular belief, growing old has a lot of advantages. Below are some of them.

You will be happier.

You may not believe this but ageing does not turn a cheerful person into a grouch. Numerous studies have shown that ageing is not a barrier to happiness. It may, in fact, be the key to happiness. Research suggests that as we age, we become more emotionally stable and content. A surprising finding published in The Economist suggests that happiness increases until around age 30 then heads downward into midlife and then back up again to higher levels at age 50 and beyond. In early adulthood, we are often stressed by the demands from work, family and personal responsibilities. Then, we spend several decades more trying to accomplish our goals in life. As we reach old age, most of our goals have been achieved, and we are more relaxed and less driven by pressures.

You become wiser.

We don’t need a rocket scientist to tell us that ageing lets you gain wisdom. One study showed that seniors have better control over their emotions than other age groups. German Researchers asked participants of various ages to play a gambling game “designed to induce regret”. They found that “unlike 20-somethings, those in their 60s didn’t agonise over losing, and they were less likely to try to redeem their loss by later taking big risks.

You’ll have better sense of accomplishment.

As a young adult, you may think that big accomplishments include being promoted to the highest job post, getting high salaries, buying a new house and a car, and getting all the pleasures the world has to offer. But over time, you will find that ordinary achievements like raising a good and healthy family, marrying the man/woman you love, or retiring from a job in good-standing after year can be a foundation of pleasant contentment in old age.

Wise decisions are easier to make.

Before, scientists used to think that ageing slows down cognitive function. But the use of brain scan technologies in new studies has debunked that myth. Through the years, our brain creates more connections and recognises patterns. This makes older people better at making wise decisions than their younger peers.

You’ll get along with others easier.

Do you used to be a shy, timid type? As you age, you socialising with other people might become the least of your problems. A 2010 study by the University of Michigan wherein researchers presented “Dear Abby” letters to 200 people and asked what advice they would give, found that 60s were better than younger ones at imagining different points of view, thinking of multiple resolutions and suggesting compromises.

You’ll have more opportunities to pursue your dreams.

When it comes to chasing your dreams, there’s no such thing as ‘it’s too late’. The time gained at retirement is an excellent opportunity to pursue things you are really passionate about without thinking about your responsibilities to your family and to other people. It’s a perfect time to travel, go away for a vacation, learn a new skill, write a novel, and do other things that make you happy.

Ageing is a natural process that we need not be scared of. Despite the media influences to stay ‘forever young’, growing old is something we should look forward too, as it comes with surprising things too.