Cheese and wine aren’t the only things that get better with age. A recent study shows that older adults also show significant improvements in their physical and cognitive health over time. The reason why seems to lie in how they think about getting older. Researchers at Yale University followed more than 11,000 seniors aged 65 and older over a period of 12 years, tracking changes in cognition and physical function. In a conclusive rebuff to the classic stereotypes, they found that one-third of participants improved cognitively, while 28% improved physically. People who viewed getting older positively were more likely to show improvements in their cognitive skills and their walking speed. By contrast, folks in the study who held more negative ideas about aging tended to see a decline in these skills. That suggests that people’s beliefs can have a dramatic effect on their biology. So, remember: A positive outlook on aging can help you join all the happy people who defy stereotypes of cognitive and physical deterioration.
