Those With Profuse PMA Live Longer?

Mark Twain may not have realized how right he was in saying age is an issue of “mind over matter” as scientists now suggest how old a person really is may turn on the answer to Q, “How Old Do You Feel?” or THINK you feel?

At least, the WSJ article of that title says “research is uncovering links between your ‘subjective age’ and your future health and longevity.” Put another way, the old saw “you’re only as old as you feel” can be measured by scientific data. As author Betsy Morris noted, it’s becoming more apparent that one’s “psychological age can differ from chronological age.” Perhaps more importantly, then, “some psychologists and gerontologists now say there might be ways to improve physical health [and even LIVING LONGER] by making yourself feel younger – or, at least, taking a positive attitude toward aging.” In one German study of 2,400 adults over more than 20 years, for instance, participants who said they expected to continue to grow and develop into old age lived an average 13 years longer than those who didn’t expect such growth.”

Whoa! “It is really good and important to feel younger. It is soft protection,” said Susanne Wurm, professor at the University of Greifswald and an author of the study published earlier this year in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. “If I feel younger, I am more motivated to be engaged and action,” she said. After all, isn’t the philosophy of gaining success let alone joy in virtually ALL life’s endeavors based on such a “Positive Mental Attitude” aka PMA? Wasn’t it Henry Ford who urged that “Those who are fearless [and dare to become their truest version will find a deeper purpose in live and] never grow old”?

Davd Soul