Parts of life that can get better with age

Lots of people have mixed opinions at the thought of getting older and worry about slowing down, how their health could deteriorate and have general fears about the unknown.

These are all valid concerns and while it is true that your mobility might not be once what it was and that you might need stairlifts for your home as you grow older, there are some great aspects to ageing that should be embraced.

To celebrate ageing, this guide looks at the parts of life that can sometimes get better with age that range from getting more freedom to becoming wiser.

Get more freedom and less stress

While it may not be the case for everyone, everyday life stressors get reduced for many people as they get older with some seeing their children grow up and leave the house. Other people may be fortunate enough to have retired and have a bit more time on their hands.

For some, this extra time and freedom means you can do things that you have always wanted to do and for many, this also means that life is less stressful than it was when they were younger.

Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski, who is the blogger behind Baby Boomster, says her favourite part of growing older is the extra freedom.

“My favourite part of the ageing process is that as long as I stay healthy I have the freedom to create my life as I want it. I no longer have kids to take care of or even a partner. The world is my oyster. All I have to do is go for it.”

Linda Sage, a mindset and resilience expert, international speaker, and author of her own blog, used to work as a criminal psychologist in prisons in the UK and she feels that she now has more freedom as she has got older.

“Lecturing, training and private clients, I can now pick and choose where I want to be, how much I want to work and who I want to work with. Being on my own, with grown-up children I can travel to places and take short-term contracts without considering the impact on others. 

“I have more patience with some things and less with others, I enjoy learning new concepts especially online and radio broadcasting. I love the power of saying no, and the freedom to say yes when I want.

“I now have no mortgage commitment, no children's timetables, no husband to consider, I can have the remote control, the music loud to dance in the lounge anytime, a glass of wine in the bath, a 2 pm call without comments or questions.”

Some older people can travel more

Although many people continue to work into their golden years and may not be able to go on more holidays, another great thing about ageing for some people is that they have more time to travel and can go on holiday at different times of the year when there are fewer tourists around and prices are at their lowest.

With prices tending to be lower in the autumn and winter seasons, some older people can take advantage of the special offers that holiday companies put in place as if you’re retired you don’t have to ask for the time off, while others may have more time on their hands as they’ve seen their kids grow up and leave home.

When you are younger it is also common to want to see everything in just a few days, but as you grow older your holidays become more leisurely as some older people have more time to explore deeper into the city or the destination you are visiting.

Sheila Berrios-Nazario is a writer that runs the Golden Age Trips site and she thinks you are able to travel more as you grow older.

“In my experience as a travel agent, one of the advantages that come with age is being able to retire and travel more often and for longer. People can also be more flexible with their vacations and benefit from off-season deals.

“Not having to worry about work or asking for vacation time, while enjoying perks and discounts as a senior traveller are some of the travel aspects that get better with age. In some cases, vacation costs are also reduced because the travellers are empty nesters.”

Travel blogger Linda is one of the founders of Retired and Travelling and she agrees that travelling is something you can enjoy more as you get older.

“Travelling for us got better as we aged. Each year we have travelled more and more. Last year we were away almost 6 months of the year over several different trips. 

“We have more flexibility to travel outside of peak busy times. Travel is often less expensive when we can be flexible. This means we can splurge on some things while we save on others.

“We have the ability to travel longer and slower. This lets us get immersed in the destinations we visit and enjoy local sites and experiences. Being less rushed, we can take in more of the sights, sounds and smells for a fuller experience.”

Can gain more wisdom

Wisdom is something that can only develop with age and experience and in some scenarios, it gives older people a decision-making advantage over younger adults.

Wisdom can also help older people overcome negative scenarios such as stress or losing a loved one as it is something that you will have experienced in your lifetime.

Rebecca from the Baby Boomster blog adds: “We gain wisdom as we age and aren’t as apt to make the wrong decisions about how we want to live our lives. We can also be more satisfied with less when it comes to material possessions. I’ve found that downsizing has been freeing and will allow me to do things I love like travel.”

Self-esteem can increase

According to research by the American Psychological Association, self-esteem tended to increase in older age compared to younger adults.

The investigation looked at self-esteem across the lifespan and the research was based on 331 independent samples, including data from more than 164,000 participants.

The results found that self-esteem raised from the ages of 15-30 and then peaked at the age of 60 and remained constant until the age of 70.

Focus more on positive things

In another research study, it found that older people focus more on positive things than negative. This is called the ‘positivity effect’ and the study found that compared to younger people, older adults remember more positive than negative information.

Many older people have the mindset of making the most of every day and are more willing to let go of the things that don’t matter, while instead clinging onto the things and people that do.

Discounts

Another advantage of being older is the fact you can benefit from an array of discounts. If you are in the know you can save on lots of different things including shopping and travel.

Here are some of the discounts you can take advantage of as an older adult:

•Senior Rail Card – At 60 you can enjoy a senior rail card that gives you a 1/3 off Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance fares.

•Free eye tests – With Specsavers you can not only get free eye test if you are over 60 but can get 25% off glasses and lenses.

•Gardening discount – If you’re over 60 and a member of The Garden Club, then you can claim double points on certain days of the week when you shop in-store.

•English Heritage discounts – There are more than 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites you can visit as part of English Heritage such as Stonehenge and Kenilworth. Older people can enjoy discounts on membership.

SEE MORE: The best discounts for older people

Your children become your friends

It can often be hard to imagine for many people, but your children that you have looked after since birth will one day become your friends.

Your children will come back with their own families, goals and dreams and you can become their friend in a way that you could never imagine.

You will be there to support them, but they will also be in a position to support and help you if you should need it. You can also enjoy family days out with them and your grandchildren.

These are just some of the different parts of life that get better with age. While you might suffer from a mobility problem and need second hand stair lifts in your home, there are lots of things you can look forward to in later life. Here is a recap of what you can enjoy as an older adult.

•Get more freedom and less stress

•Travel more

•Gain more wisdom

•Self-esteem increases

•Focus more on positive things

•Discounts

•Your children become your friends