There isn’t a one-size-fits-all secret to successful aging, but it seems scientists are getting close to figuring it out. There has been tons of research looking into when, why, and how we age. The information we know so far gives us a pretty good idea of how we can age gracefully and healthily.
While some things are out of our control during the aging process, there are things we can prioritize in order to age well. Here’s a rundown of what successful aging looks like and what can be done to achieve it.
What Is Successful Aging?
So, what exactly is considered successful aging? Everyone has their own opinion on the matter. Even scientists have come up with varying definitions of what it means. What’s clear is successful aging is about longevity and expanding the number of functional years in a person’s lifespan.
One concept defines successful aging as high physical, psychological and social functioning in old age without major diseases. Forbes explains how this definition was coined in the 80s by scientists John Wallice Rowe and Robert Kahn in a book called Successful Aging.