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Studies Agree: Happiness Comes With Age

Mental health keeps improving even into one's '90s

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 8, 2009 8:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – Greater happiness and better mental health may be the big payoff for aging. Exceptions abound, of course, but people generally get happier as they get older because they've learned how to tune out all the negative stuff, say researchers. A spate of new studies suggests that older people have better control of their emotions and thus avoid situations that make them stressed—in part because they know life is short, reports USA Today.

"We know that older people are increasingly aware that the time they have left in life is growing shorter," says one researcher at the American Psychological Association. "They want to make the best of it so they avoid engaging in situations that will make them unhappy."

Mental health and happiness tend to improve with age, researchers say.
Mental health and happiness tend to improve with age, researchers say.   (Shutter Stock)
Happiness keeps improving right into ones '90s, studies have found.
Happiness keeps improving right into ones '90s, studies have found.   (Shutter Stock)
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Far too many younger people assume that getting older is a process that will inevitably mean sickness, frailty and lack of mobility and greater dependence. However, this is far from the truth in very many cases.
- Andrew Harrop of Age Concern

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
sysco9
Aug 10, 2009 1:31 AM CDT
If you want to be happy, take a 10 day meditation course at your closest Vipassana center. Google it, it may change your life!
Netstorm2k10
Aug 8, 2009 8:49 AM CDT
Money helps.
inky
Aug 8, 2009 7:10 AM CDT
I'm 51; can I start now?
 

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