 To your second half transition
Challenging the myth of decline
In the public’s mind and as shown in the media, there appears to be a stereotype about ageing – related to D-words, such as decline, disease, disability and disorientation. Sure, as you grow older there are physical and even mental changes and adjustments to make but what about the fun and fulfilment that accompanies this ageing process? Anyone over 60 may be depicted with grey hair, wrinkles, ill-fitting clothes and living in doctors’ waiting rooms. Is that what you imagine for yourself as you move into your 50s and 60s? No!
Well then, here is the good news – what about considering this move described with R-words – renewal, refocus, or reinvention? And that those who are in this age group are using the media, particularly the internet, to promote these ideas that ageing is about newness and discovery.
One friend, Eva, wrote of her experiences as she is getting older. She stressed that watching her diet and staying fit, paying attention to what is going on by working on memory tests, learning new tasks through continuing education, and volunteering for community service provided the substantial resources for living a full and fulfilling life.
Based on some recent research, let’s look at a few of the activities that can keep you positive, as you age.
Research into relationships
A study of women from their 40s to their 60s found that marital satisfaction continued to increase with each passing decade. The notable stresses occurred in their 40s and early 50s, perhaps caused by having children living in the home. During the shared household years, there were fewer enjoyable times women spent as a couple. The marriages which worked best occurred when there were only two people in a household: as couples spent quality time together, they rediscovered what brought them together in the first place.
And what about building positive relations? People are seeking to overcome the negativity that features in so many of our news programs. People are creating websites, blogs and other meeting groups designed to report and share kindness, generosity and a spirit of benevolence. Look at www.heroreports.org for stories of people who are generous and caring of others.
Another study revealed that beliefs in a kind and generous world increased as people aged. A positive relationship was found between these beliefs and feelings of life satisfaction. Looking on the bright side seems to be a general orientation. Perhaps becoming a grandparent leads to hope and belief in a positive world. Combined with time available to volunteer and join in worthy causes, people see the possibility of ageing as for the good.
Research into the attitude to aging
In a study of people from the ages of 70-104, over a six-year period, people were asked what age they believed they felt they were. On average, people felt they were about 13 years younger than their chronological age. This difference changed very little over the years. Interestingly, if participants were asked about their ages from looking in the mirror, the age discrepancy was lessened to about 10 years younger. Researchers suggested that people who live to be 85 may indeed be younger than their age might suggest, due to their satisfaction with their ageing.
Research into retirement and well-being
Retirement is a positive and health-promoting transition, for people who make plans for retiring on their own terms. The study showed that people can generally anticipate two decades or more of life in post-retirement, and there are many alternative activities to consider besides one’s current work activities. For those who plan for when and how they stop working, and especially if they are financially prepared, retirement brings on a surge in feeling of well-being and often ignites new goals for life after full-time work. The two-year honeymoon period after retiring is accompanied by lower stress, a greater sense of control and more leisure time than when they were working. Even after this period, the level of life satisfaction was found to be higher than work-day levels.
Now that you have read the research, what are your plans?
Are you ready for a successful and fulfilling life after you stop working full-time? Or do you want more satisfaction, now that you are retired? What if you could create a plan for your second half for ageing well? Or have some help in being satisfied and fulfilled, now that you have retired? What if there were help available?
Contact us for a complimentary consultation to focus on your ideas. We work with you to discover what you want for your active life as you age. It will be the best 30 minutes you spend to get started on the lifestyle you want.
References
Gergen, K & Gergen, M, 2009, ‘The Positive Aging Newsletter’, received 02 March 2009, Issue No 50, 53, and 54.
© 2009 Helene Strawbridge, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from the Second Half Success material in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link. Please also notify me where the material will appear. The attribution should read: By Helene Strawbridge of Second Half Success. Please visit Helene’s web site at www.secondhalfsuccess.com.au for additional articles and resources. (Make sure the link is live if placed in an newsletter or in a web site.)
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