How to Age Better

Challenge false beliefs and improve productivity.

Senile degeneration. That’s the term used by a nurse when talking about my dad recently. She explains that more than likely, his mind will degrade quicker than his body. Yikes, sounds rough.

Photo by author, of my dad just a few years ago.

I’ve written a lot about the effect of aging parents on me, but this post isn’t about that. Rather, it’s the backdrop against a popular productivity term I’ve seen a lot of lately — longevity. One explanation of why longevity is trending is because this generation hasn’t faced difficulties like past generations with WW1, WW2, and the Vietnam War.

“We hit golf balls on the moon and have DoorDash and so obviously the next step is eternal life.”

- Time Magazine, Sheldon Solomon, professor of psychology at Skidmore College

And yet, the prevalent belief of getting old is associated with being decrepit, alone, and feeble. According to Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs about Aging Determine How Long and Well You Live by Becca Levy, that’s not always the case. For example, in countries like Japan, the old are associated with wisdom and health. The real kicker, our belief in what old age is influencing the reality of what getting old will be like.

“Traditional Asian cultures, for example, are inclined to venerate the…