You might think that adventure and old age don’t go together! You might imagine that as we age, we inevitably leave excursions and travel behind and spend more of our time at home.
However, it’s time to dispel this belief, as new research by author Caroline Paul (TOUGH BROAD) shows that adventures are the best choice older people can make for their health.
How do adventures “delay” old age?
So adventures can add years to our lives in many ways. These are experiences that usually bring us closer to nature, fill us with impatience and adrenaline.
Nature is healing for our mind and body, we know it and we have certainly felt it.
Trees release chemicals, called phytoncides, that support our immune systems.
At the same time, the patterns formed by clouds, waves and coastlines calm the mind.
Optimism is also important
It is very important to know that both our way of thinking and our perspective on aging play a big role in our health as we grow older.
If we are pessimistic about the years to come then we are more likely to suffer from a cardiovascular disease or even dementia.
On the other hand if we look at this next phase of our life with impatience for what we still have to live we can add even 7 years to our life.
A survey of 14,000 adults over 50 (“Associations Between Satisfaction With Aging and Health and Well-being Outcomes Among Older US Adults“) found that those who were optimistic about the future were 43% more likely to live longer in the next four years than those who were pessimistic.
So it’s vital as we get older that we continue to have fun. To go on trips and live new experiences. To look at our future with optimism, after all we will have much more time to do the things that please us, so why be pessimistic?
If you are not a fan of extreme activities and you are worried about how you will manage to live adventures to do good for your health, don’t worry!
Your activity doesn’t have to be an adrenaline rush. A simple walk in nature, at the sea is enough to give a few quality years in your life.
