New research finds the happiest Americans are the oldest. Older adults are more socially active than the stereotype of the lonely senior suggests, social activity can help keep away the blues.
Duke Univ. aging expert Linda George reports the odds of being happy increase 5% with every 10 years of age.
33% of Americans report being very happy at age 88, vs. 24% of those age 18 to their early 20s.
Throughout the study years, most Americans reported being “very happy” or “pretty happy.” Less than 20% said they were “not too happy.”
A separate Univ. of Chicago study found 75% of people 57 to 85 engage in one or more social activities at least weekly (socializing with neighbors, attending religious services, volunteering or going to group meetings). Those in their 80s were twice as likely as those in their 50s to do at least one of these activities.
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FROG PRINCE: An 80 year-old woman was walking down the main street in her hometown one evening when she heard a low voice say, “Hey lady.” She looked around to see who was talking but upon seeing nobody there she shrugged it all off and continued walking.
Before she got another five feet, she heard the same voice, only a little louder, say, “Hey lady!” She once again looked around and didn’t see anybody, but when she went to walk again she saw a frog sitting at her feet looking at her. The frog then opened his mouth and said, “Could you please help me?”
The elderly woman was shocked at first but picked up the little frog and asked him what he needed. The frog proceeded to tell the woman that he was actually a handsome young prince that had been turned into a frog. All the lady had to do was to kiss the frog on the lips and he would turn back into a handsome prince, and would then be eternally grateful to the woman.
Well, the woman thought for a moment and then quietly slipped the frog into her purse. As she was walking away, she quietly muttered, “At my age I’ll have more fun with a talking frog.”
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BIRTHDAY STATS: Everyday in the U.S. and Canada, 800,000 people are having a birthday.
- The average person receives 8 birthday cards and 4 gifts a year.
- 11,000 Baby Boomers turn 50 each day and will for the next decade.
- Almost 110,000 people have celebrated their 100th birthdays with a projection of more than 200,000 by 2010.
- 62% of all everyday greeting cards sold are bought for birthdays.
- There are more birthdays in August than any other month.
Ihave two elderly relatives who are not happy. Health issues are a big part of their grief. But they have always been grousy people.I have been concerned I will become like one as she is my mother. I read a quote by Tolstoy today that said,”If you are not happy with your life, you can change it in two ways:either improve the conditions in which you live, or improve your inner spiritual state.The first is not always possible, but the second always is.” I will be working on the innner spiritual state.
Regarding FROG PRINCE: Any woman, regardless of age, who prefers a talking frog to an eternally grateful handsome prince is out of her ever-loving mind!!!