Here’s a fun experiment:
Name five words you associate with aging.
First five that come to mind.
What did you get?
If you ask a typical American this question, you’re going to get responses like feeble, sick, forgetful, and depressed.
If you ask a typical Chinese person the same question, you’re likely to get responses like wise, experienced, useful, and kind.
Why? Because China is a society with positive age beliefs and the U.S. is not.
But it doesn’t stop there. Positive age beliefs are connected to longevity. Those with positive age beliefs live an average of 7.5 years longer than those with negative age beliefs. These age beliefs go above and beyond the influence of gender, race, socioeconomic status, loneliness, and health.
In the words of Becca Levy, who wrote the book Breaking the Age Code, “Age beliefs stole or added almost eight years to [life], conferring an even better survival advantage than low cholesterol or low blood pressure (both of which added an extra four years of life) or low body mass index (one extra year) or avoiding smoking (three extra years).”
Whaaaaaaat?
This is incredible, right?
Levy points out that if there was a drug that had such advantages, everyone would be clamoring to the pharmacy to get a lifetime prescription.
But alas, positive age beliefs take inner work, and that takes a lot more effort than opening your mouth, popping a pill, and swallowing.
But here’s a cool thing: Age beliefs can be changed.
Levy cites tons of studies that show just how malleable our beliefs can be, and that nudging our beliefs about aging into a more positive direction have tons of benefits on our health and our experience of life.
Indeed, positive age beliefs not only lengthen our life, they increase our enjoyment of that life. So it’s double benefit!
I had been looking for a book like Levy’s ever since I first heard about her 2002 study. Fortunately, she finally wrote and published her book Breaking the Age Code in 2022. I highly, highly, highly recommend reading it.
Not only does she talk about the power of shifting your beliefs about aging, she gives you all kinds of evidence to show that a lot of our negative age beliefs are based on absolute B.S.
For example, did you know that successful entrepreneurs are twice as likely to be over fifty than in their early twenties? That there are several areas of cognition that improve in later life, like taking multiple perspectives into account, solving interpersonal problems, and semantic memory?
Pattern recognition is another type of memory that improves with age, which is why neuroscientist Daniel Levitin is quoted in Levy’s book as saying, “If you’re going to get an x-ray, you want a 70-year-old radiologist reading it, not a 30-year old one.”
The idea that older employees drag down workplaces is another utterly nonsensical idea. Levy again: “Older workers take fewer days off for sickness, benefit from experience, have strong work ethics, and are often innovative. Teams that include older persons have been found to be more effective than teams that do not.”
My experience of reading this book is like getting truth serum injected into my mind and body. I have been seeing myself and my aging process radically differently ever since.
I read it once, and am now reading a page a day, just to keep reminding myself about all the Amazing Facts about aging.
I’m sharing this information with you because if you’re suffering under the weight of the nonsensical beliefs about aging that the U.S. – and other countries with negative age beliefs – promote, there’s a way out!
You can change your mind – and, as a result, your experience of aging.
To check out more about Becca Levy, go HERE. There’s a quiz you can take about your aging beliefs, and links with multiple places to purchase the book in both print and audio versions.
This is not a paid post. Just information from an extremely enthusiastic person who now knows how incredible and beneficial the aging process is.
Age up!
What’s your experience with positive age beliefs? Share your comments below!
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I just ordered it on Audible. Yay. Harvesting my life is a big focus for me as I round out my 70th year!! (BIG party coming up, just sayin.) I recognize the value I own.. probably because of the 25 years of soul work I’ve engaged in. I’m sooooo happy to be on the planet. To be experiencing being an elder and owning it. To only be invisible when I WANT to be and be loud and proud the rest of the time. I had a friend recently make note that I often enter a room or a group setting with dance moves. While that is simply my nature… you’d have to sedate me to keep me from dancing to the rhythms that are always in my body… and I’ve also gained a consciousness of wanting to be really present and connecting with others. People respond in mostly positive ways. So fun.
As a “fluffier” woman i have found peace with this old girl and her weight. She likes it here. I don’t have to struggle… it’s steady. She feels good. I do water aerobics 3xweek, chair yoga, and am increasing my walking habit. I live a quietly paced life with lots of socializing, volunteering, and i feel purposeful and valued. I was struck by the fact you quoted that low body mass only adds one year of longevity… fascinatingly contrary to what I’ve been taught. Seems the old girl discovered it on her own and believes in herself. Yay.
I look forward to listening to the book. Thank you.
Hi Marina,
Yay for 70. Whoo hooo!
And I’m happy to hear that you ordered the book. I think you’ll really enjoy it. There’s a lot of eye-opening stuff in there.
I L.O.V.E that you enter a room with dance moves. Is there a better way to enter a room? I think not!
Happy Almost 70! The world is blessed by your dancing presence.
XOZ
Hi! Having just turned 75 yesterday, the aging thing has been on my mind a bit more lately, but I can truly say that I am so grateful that I am this old! I can give my time and energy to others, I don’t have to ask permission to take off work. I do know some stuff after making a ton of mistakes over many years to learn those things. I love sharing what I now know with others. And as others have stated here, it takes purposeful activity to stay healthy, and keep moving. Yoga 5 times a week really helps me a lot. Prayer, meditation, visioning, service, and gratitude are my life now! And so it is!!! Thank you two for being a LIGHT in this world.
Hi Bucky,
Thank you so much for this. A life of yoga, prayer, meditation, visioning, service and gratitude! Does it get any better than that?!?!
Thank you so much for your comment and for your presence in the world!
XOZ
Very helpful. Thanks❤️
Hi Judy,
You are so welcome! 🙂
XOZ
Thank you for sharing this, Z. As I think about my own beliefs on aging, I realize that a radical change is needed and welcome. So I bought the book! I’m even thinking of forming a group!
Hi Maureen,
Yay! So happy to hear it. Let me know what you think. 🙂
XOZ
Dear Z,
Loved your article. I will look into this book. I am about to be 81 and am sooooo grateful for knowing that I am blessed and I have never felt so loving. I feel like I wake up happy, filled with love and grateful for all the good I experience everyday. I don’t ever remember feeling this way in my “younger years”! I think the Chinese have it right! This has been the time in my life as far as feeling positive and knowledgeable. Thanks for your letter today. Sending my love to you both!!!! Nancy
Hi Nancy,
I love this. Thank you for sharing. You are a model of what it can be like to be 81. YAY!!!!
XOXOXOZ
Aging is part of the life cycle. I am very grateful to my body that has kept me upright all these years (FYI: 20 years out from a Bone Marrow Transplant!) I have discovered that aging requires maintenance – do what you can to keep yourself healthy, strong, flexible – engage in life. Each day on Planet Earth is a gift – enjoy it!
Hi Rachel,
That’s SO wonderful to hear that you’re still going strong 20 post Bone Marrow Transplant. And that you are doing all you can to stay healthy, strong, and flexible. Yes! Thanks for your comment! 🙂
XOZ
Thanks Z, sounds like a great book. I have believed this way a long time. As a matter of fact, I worked till I was 76, then we decided to move to Arizona to be close to Natalie and Barry. It’s all about what you focus on. I love life and being busy!!!
Hi Kathy,
You are an inspiration. We are so grateful for your presence in our lives! 🙂
XOZ
Awesome, I will check this out!
I remember being super depressed at 59—dreading turning 60, as if that meant life as I knew it was officially over. But then 60 was a fun, active, life-affirming year. I felt amazing. So now I’m on the “aging is fine” bandwagon, and definitely open to expanding that sentiment even more:)
Hi Jill,
Speaking from the POV of someone in their mid 60’s, I can confidently say that 60s are the Best. Decade. Yet. I think you’ll love this book. Facts are hard to argue with! 🙂
XOZ