There are many reasons why at this time in your life, it might be hard to have a positive outlook on aging. We all face challenges as we get older, whether it’s due to our physical health, the health or well-being of loved ones, or such matters as finances, employment, insurance, or relationships. But as we’ve noted in past posts, and as experts inform us, creating a positive and optimistic mindset can do wonders for both our physical and mental well-being, even in the face of real-life difficulties. Scientists can measure attitudes of positivity and negativity, and through various studies, have reported that those with higher levels of optimism have a 35% lower risk of cardiovascular events compared with less optimistic people and that positive people tend to live longer as well (as much as 11-15% longer than pessimists). There is also research reporting that older women who are more positive and optimistic are more likely to maintain their physical abilities, including mobility and walking speed, compared to those who are less positive and more pessimistic. We also know that negativity or pessimism can take a toll on your health, raising your stress levels and potentially accelerating inflammation in your body, which may fuel the development of chronic disease. So it seems important, then, for you to cultivate an attitude of positivity to the extent possible.

Scientists suggest that genetics account for optimism and positivity in only 25% of the population. For the rest of us, that means we have the potential to become positive through our own efforts, and experts suggest that it is absolutely possible to create a positive mindset. According to cardiologist Dr. Adam Rozanski, “The first step (to becoming more positive) is to learn to control ourselves when negative thoughts assail us and commit ourselves to change the way we look at things. We must recognize that our way of thinking is not necessarily the only way of looking at a situation. This thought alone can lower the toxic effect of negativity.” Dr. Rozanski goes on to compare optimism to a muscle, something that can be strengthened, through positivity and gratitude. Psychotherapist Katharine Etsy also recently weighed in on developing a positive attitude while aging, citing her own funk upon turning 80 and seeking out others in her cohort to learn the secrets of staying positive as you get older (which also led her to write the book, Eightysomethings). Her interviews demonstrated that you can have a positive attitude even in the face of tragedy, losses, and challenges. Many of the subjects of her interviews chose to be happy, considering the options available to them and finding gratitude, even in the face of sorrow. She herself continues to stay aware of when she feels negative and instead, focuses on the moment she is in to choose to be positive in that moment. And columnist Helen Dennis has recently published two different posts on developing a positive mindset and recognizing the important beneficial effects to your health in cultivating and maintaining positivity as you get older. She emphasizes the importance of staying aware when negativity creeps in and encourages readers to challenge negative beliefs about aging, either those espoused by others or even your own. She also references a terrific article by Dr. Manfred Diehl about ways to adopt a positive mindset while aging.

Of course, if you feel negative about your own aging, especially if you are an older woman, there are societal forces to blame for sure. Older women in particular were raised in an environment (which still exists today) where being young and vibrant counted for much more than the wisdom and experience you can claim as an older person. Yet there are many reasons to take pride and feel positive about being an adult in your later years. LA Times columnist Steve Lopez recently listed several reasons he feels positive as he’s reached his later years (like the wisdom gained by several decades of dumb decisions) and referenced a new weekly newsletter from the Stanford University Center on Longevity, Three Not So Bad Things On Aging and Longevity. So, chin up, there are lots of reasons to feel positive and upbeat, if you allow yourself to grab hold of that attitude.