Mindset Matters: A positive mind can influence how you age
Remember when you were anxious about something and your mom would say, “You’ll worry yourself sick if you don’t stop.” Turns out, she may have been right.
According to new research from NYU, worrying about getting older — especially fearing future health problems — may actually speed up aging at the cellular level. Researchers examined data from 726 women participating in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study.
They were asked how much they worried about becoming less attractive or developing health problems. Additionally, blood samples were analyzed using two established epigenetic clocks.
Those who reported higher levels of anxiety about growing older showed signs of faster epigenetic aging which has been linked in prior research to physical decline and greater risk of age-related diseases.
How do you lessen the worry?
A little worry about the unknown is healthy, but excessive worry is where the problems start. One way to help lessen the anxiety is trying to be more positive. Your mindset matters. So if you think of aging as a privilege – rather than something to fear – you may have a healthier outlook on it.
Loneliness is another factor that can play into worry. When you’re surrounded by like-minded people who share your life experiences, it can go a long way to making you feel calmer and more confident. That’s why people who move to senior living communities often live longer than their counterparts.
Have a plan
What if you get sick? Do you know who will care for you? How you’ll pay for it? Having a plan for the what-ifs can also reduce your worry. Moving to a senior living community is a great way to take control of your future healthcare needs. A Life Plan community offers exactly what it says … a plan for every stage of life. With independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled care all on one campus, your needs are met at whatever stage in life you find yourself.
Many of these plans come with discounts on future healthcare and once you enter into a life care contract, you can never be asked to leave, even if you outlive your resources. So should the unexpected health challenge arise, you’ll have confidence that you will have the right care you need, when you need it.
More ways to lessen the worry
Life Plan communities also provide a maintenance-free lifestyle, we do all of the housework and home maintenance. The community is completely safe and secure, and your home comes with 24⁄7 monitoring and home security. And with our entrance fee and monthly service fee all the costs are predictable. You’ll never have any surprise bills. No more property taxes, or sky-high utility bills. Alleviating that unpredictability is another weight off your shoulders.
So if you worry about getting older or falling ill, you may just become a self-fulfilling prophesy. But with a little planning and a community like Smith Crossing as your address, you can ease your stress, change your mindset and face the future with confidence.