Lots of
Know-How
They’re
called the “golden years” for a reason. Getting older has its perks. For one,
you’re good at using what you’ve learned. This is called “Crystalized Intelligence,”
and it keeps getting better, even when you’re 65 or 70.
Mr. Nice
Guy
Turns out
you might not be a grump after all. You’ll probably get more agreeable as you
age, at least through your 60s. You’re also likely to be happier and less
inclined to get angry. Scientists haven’t figured out exactly why this happens,
but they do have some theories. Older people might control their emotions
better, and focus more on how to make the most of life.
Play Well
With Others
You’re
more in tune with other people’s emotions in your 40s than at any other time in
your life. That insight into how others think and feel can make living
with your loved ones easier and help you get along better with your coworkers,
too.
What's
That Doing There?
Around the
time the hair on your head starts to disappear, it can show up in the strangest
places. This can mean large hairs in older guys' noses and ears. Older women
may notice small hairs on their chins. This is all caused by changes in our
hormones.
Better Sex
Older
women may have sex less often than when they were younger, but apparently they
make it count. In a study of women 40 and over, researchers found that sexual
satisfaction improves with age. Women over 80 were more likely than those
between 55 and 79 to say they were satisfied during sex.
Rise and
Shine
There’s a
good chance you’ll become the morning person you’ve always wanted to be -- in
your 60s. Our sleeping patterns can shift as we age, so we get sleepier earlier
and wake up earlier. That seems to work out well. One study showed that even
though folks over 65 tend to wake up during the night, most said they regularly
get a good night’s sleep.
Don't Quit
Your Day Job
Early
retirement might not be the best thing for your health -- unless you have a fun
second career. A study called the “Longevity Project” found that people who
work hard at a job they enjoy, live the longest. That, along with good friends
and a good marriage, could be the key to sticking around a while.
Fear Is
Not Your Friend
You may
worry more about breaking bones as you age. But you’re more likely to take a
tumble if you’re scared of falling. One study found that about a third of
adults over 65 have that fear. And it’s understandable, because falls are the
leading cause of injuries for older people.
You Get
Shorter
The longer
you’re alive, the more gravity brings you down. The spaces between the bones in
your spine -- called vertebrae -- get closer together. That can make you about
an inch shorter as you get older. Talk about the “weight of the world.”
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