What's successful aging?

Successful Aging
THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY

Successful aging implies there’s a correct way to live, and if you follow the rules then you’re set for a long, happy life. This isn’t exactly the case. There’s always the possibility of getting hit by a bus, or getting hit by cancer, but luckily those deaths are anomalies. In reality, you have more control over your healthspan than you might think.

I’m not digging for “secrets to happiness” or “hacks to become bulletproof” but rather a guideline, made from scientific research, to increase my odds of a) making it to 79 and b) enjoying being 79.

In this study “successful” aging has a very specific look including six objective and subjective outcomes: a doc-approved bill of health, subjective physical health (“I can still do yard work”), length of an active life (years before 70 without physical disability), and objective mental health (ability to work, maintain relationships, and play, all without psych care or meds). Wait, there’s more: subjective life satisfaction, and, finally, social support.

I could end there. The paragraph above explains why we exercise, eat kale, and zoom with friends.

But the question remains: How can we add successful life to years, not just more years to life?

Our study today analyzed data from The Harvard Study of Adult Development which began in 1940 before WW2 was over, and is still going today, making it one of the longest running studies ever.

With 60 years(!) of retrospective data from 724 participants, researchers wanted to know which factors predicted the holy grail that is successful aging. Is it the stuff we have power to control (exercise, coping mechanisms, etc) or is it the obstacles that we can’t (family healthspan, childhood temperament, etc)?

The results suggest that you can predict how you will age based on behavior before age 50. Let that soak in. Today’s habits affect tomorrow’s health. Researchers also found that the variables that are somewhat in our control are more relevant than the uncontrollable ones when it comes to a longer healthspan.

The participants who aged successfully avoided alcohol abuse and smoking. They were educated. They maintained a stable marriage and a healthy BMI. They exercised and they developed coping mechanisms. Sounds like hard work, but I think that’s the point.

Takeaway
Successful aging (i.e. long-term mental, physical, and social strength) is largely in our control, and crucially before age 50. Sure exercise and weight management plays a role, but so do relationships and coping mechanisms--two unsolicited lessons from coronavirus.