5 Things That Get Better with Age: Embracing Healthy Aging

In a culture obsessed with youthfulness, it’s easy to forget that many things—from fine wine to wisdom—improve with age.  Maintaining this perspective on aging can help foster joy, gratitude, and health as we get older.

Aging is a natural and inevitable process that can come with health challenges and the loss of vitality. These are very real outcomes, but it’s important to remember that our experience, self-confidence, emotional stability, and even relationships tend to improve over time. The key to enjoying these benefits is healthy aging, which is achievable through a balanced diet, an active lifestyle, emphasis on self-care, and supplementation.

Self-confidence

Growing older often comes with increased self-assuredness. As we age, we experience different phases of life, face numerous challenges, and learn from them. This growth process enhances our wisdom, decision-making abilities, and self-understanding.

As our sense of self improves, we begin to care less about others' opinions and become more comfortable in our own skin. Burgeoning self-confidence is a beautiful aspect of aging that allows us to live more authentically and, as a result, more joyfully.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

Hopefully, as we journey through life, our capacity for emotional intelligence—the ability to comprehend, manage, and express our own feelings—evolves with our experience.

Through this experience, we learn how to accept and understand different perspectives, feelings, and responses to various situations. These lessons teach us to empathize more deeply and manage emotional scenarios more adeptly.^[1] 

As we grow older, we develop the ability to perceive emotions in a balanced, mature way, enabling us to foster healthier relationships and navigate social networks more effectively. Our growing emotional intelligence becomes a reservoir of wisdom, equipping us better to face life's ups and downs.

RELATIONSHIP STABILITY

As we age, our relationships can become more stable and fulfilling. This stability is largely attributed to an increase in emotional intelligence and self-awareness. As we navigate different phases of life, we gain a clearer understanding of our own needs and desires in relationships, as well as a greater appreciation for the perspectives of others. We learn to prioritize meaningful connections, invest time in nurturing these relationships, and let go of those that drain our emotional resources. With better conflict resolution skills, we also learn to communicate more effectively and to compromise when necessary. This evolution in our approach to relationships leads to a more balanced and fulfilling social life as we age.

RECALL OF POSITIVE MEMORIES

As we age, a phenomenon known as the "positivity effect" impacts our memory recall. Studies suggest that older adults tend to remember positive events more vividly and frequently than negative ones.^[2] The recall of positive memories is thought to result from changes in emotional regulation that come with age. Older adults are more likely to focus on and remember information that enhances emotional satisfaction, thereby improving overall well-being.

This selective memory recall acts as a psychological buffer, helping people maintain a positive outlook and manage life's challenges more effectively. Aging gifts us with the ability to concentrate more on the good times, allowing us to more actively cultivate emotional stability and happiness in our lives.

DECISION-MAKING SKILLS

As we age, our decision-making skills often become more refined and effective. This development is closely tied to life experiences that equip us with a broader perspective and a richer repository of knowledge. We learn to navigate through complexity, evaluate different viewpoints, and consider potential consequences more thoroughly.

This wisdom enables us to make decisions that align more closely with our long-term goals and values, rather than acting on instant gratification or peer pressure. Our emotional intelligence, which also improves with age, plays a crucial role by helping us manage emotions that might cloud our judgment. Therefore, despite common misconceptions about cognitive decline, aging can actually enhance certain aspects of our decision-making capabilities, leading to wiser choices and greater life satisfaction.

HEALTHY AGING: DIET, LIFESTYLE, AND SUPPLEMENTS

While there are many positive aspects of aging, it's also true that our physical health can decline if we don't take care of ourselves. The good news is that healthy aging is within our reach. By adopting a healthy diet, maintaining an active lifestyle, and using dietary supplements, we can age gracefully and healthily.

Diet

Eating a balanced diet is critical for healthy aging. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your diet. These foods are rich in essential nutrients that help maintain your body's functions. Moreover, they are high in antioxidants that protect your cells from damage. Try to reduce your intake of processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats as they can lead to health problems.

LIFESTYLE

Regular physical activity is another key factor in healthy aging. Regular exercise, like walking, swimming, or yoga, can keep your body strong and flexible. It also improves cardiovascular health, boosts mood, and enhances cognitive function. Besides physical activity, maintaining a healthy lifestyle also includes getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and staying socially active.

SUPPLEMENTS

Even with a balanced diet, it can be hard to get all the essential nutrients your body needs. This is where supplements come in. Nutritional supplements can fill nutritional gaps and support healthy aging.

For instance, omega-3 fatty acids are known to support heart and brain health.*^[3] Vitamin D and calcium are essential for bone health, an important consideration as we age.* Antioxidant supplements, like vitamins C and E, help combat cellular damage.*^[4] Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.

Related Content: TAKING THE HEALTHY AGING QUIZ

Takeaway

Aging is not something to be feared—as a phase of life that brings increased wisdom, self-confidence, emotional stability, and deeper relationships, we should embrace the process of aging. With a healthy diet, an active lifestyle, and the right supplements, we can ensure our physical health evolves alongside our wisdom and self-confidence. Here's to aging like a fine wine—getting better with each passing year.