The older generation tend to possess a more positive and healthier emotional well-being than the younger generation. The elderly experience fewer negative emotions like frustration, sadness, annoyance and irritability as compared to the youths and adults. In fact, they feel happy and other positive feelings such as tranquillity, serenity and calmness, more often than the young. This shows that activating emotions such as excitement and joy do not decrease with age.
The above news came as a surprise to many. This phenomenon was also named “Paradox of Ageing” to describe the emotional advantages and mental health related benefits one can surprisingly reap from growing old.
Learning about deterioration of health in the later parts of one’s life causes people to possess more negative than positive feelings during their time just before death. However, they will not be as affected if they encountered health deterioration in the earlier part of life. Taking good care of our health and maintaining a better physical health condition in the later part of our lives, prolongs feelings of happiness and other positive emotions.
It is essential to always be at our best health condition and maintain positive physical and mental health even when we grow old. The government and society should play a part in helping the elderly age gracefully and provide ways to enhance their quality of life by creating more social support groups to reach out to the older generation.
Category(s):Adjusting to Change / Life Transitions, Aging & Geriatric Issues, Happiness, Health Psychology
Source material from Psychology Today
