14 Things No One Tells You About Aging

1. Lots of Know-How

Getting older has its perks and therefore, they are known as the golden years. You’re good at using what you’ve learned, called as crystallized intelligence which keeps getting better, even when you’re aging 65 or 70.

2. Play Well With Others

You are more in tune with other people’s emotions in your 40’s than at any other time in your life.  The insight into how others think and feel can make living with your loved ones easier. It will also help you get along better with your co-workers.

3. Mr. Nice Guy

It turns out that you might not be a grumpy old man or woman. This is because; you’ll probably get more agreeable as you age, at least through your 60’s. It is more likely, that you’ll be happier and less inclined to get angry. As per the scientists, older people might control their emotions better, and focus more on how to make the most of life. Hence, they will be less inclined to getting angry.

4. Better Sex

Though older women may often have less sex than when they were younger, but apparently they make it count. In a study done on women of 40 and above, the researchers have found that the sexual satisfaction improved with age. Women over 80 were more satisfied during sex than those between 55 and 79.

5. What’s That Doing There?

Around the time when the hair on your head starts to disappear, it can show up in the strangest places. This can mean large hairs in older guy’s ears and noses whereas the older women may notice small hairs on their chins. All these are caused by the changes in the hormones.

6. A Taste for Life

As you age, illness such as gum diseases, flu, colds, etc., medicines and allergies can change your sense of taste and smell. And this can affect your diet as well as health. If you need things to be spiced up, then try olive oil, herbs like rosemary and thyme, peppers, onion, garlic, or mustard. Stay away from the salt.

7. Rise And Shine

There’s a high chance that you’ll become the morning person in your 60s. This is because as we age, our sleeping patterns can shift, so we get used to sleeping early and end up waking up earlier. This seems to work out well. As per a study, even though most folks over 65 tend to wake up during the night and a majority of them said that they regularly get a good night’s sleep.

8. Don’t Quit Your Day Job

For some elderly people early retirement might not be the best thing as far as their health is concerned. However, this holds good for your health unless you have a fun second career. In a study called the Longevity Project, it was found that people who work hard at a job they enjoy live the longest. This along with good friends and a good marriage could be the key to sticking around a while.

9. Bye-Bye Migraines

Once you hit your 70s, those migraines which you may have had much of your life will go away. Only 10% of women and 5% of men over 70 still report getting migraines. Good news is that even if you have a migraine, it may not actually come with headaches. As we age, they’re more likely to show up as sensory or visual disturbances.

10. Self-Confidence

Studies show that self-esteem soars as you age and it increases with education, god health, wealth, and employment. But it will take a dip after 60 because people start to have health issues. Some of you may start searching for a new sense of purpose following retirement. With increasing life spans, working to an older age, and healthier lifestyles, we may see that change soon.

11. Fear Is Not Your Friend

As you age, you may worry more about breaking your bones. However, it is more likely that you’ll take a tumble if you’re scared of falling. As per a study, about a third of adults over 65 have that fear and it’s quite understandable. This is because falls are the leading cause of injuries for older people.

12. Weight of the World

The longer you live, the more gravity will bring you down. This reason behind this is that the spaces between the bones in your spine called vertebrae will get closer together. This can make you about an inch shorter as you get older.

13. Less Stress

According to the American Psychological Association’s annual Stress in America report, the baby boomers and older adults report less stress than their younger counterparts. Now, this doesn’t mean, it goes away because health and money problems still crop up. But, 9 of 10 older adults say they’re doing enough to manage the health and money problems.

14. Strength in Numbers

Graying America may be a good thing for you. Because those who are 60 and over tend to cast ballots more than any other age group. And they are the fastest-growing block of voters in the U.S. these days. This means more voting power on the topics that matter as you age such as Social Security, Medicare, and health care.