It’s easy to have a negative view of getting older, but there’s scientific proof that many areas of life that are on the up as we age – from types of brainpower to better moods, fewer headaches and improved confidence.
1. Improved focus
"Research shows that people over the age of 50 are less prone to procrastination," says Juliet Landau-Pope, productivity coach and author of What’s Your Excuse For Not Being More Productive? "It may be that we (finally!) learn how to manage time more effectively. Or perhaps an increased awareness mortality propels us to stop putting off the things that we really want to do.’"
2. Better brain power
Yes, really! While it’s often assumed that ageing is bad news for your brain, scientific research has revealed there are actually many areas that improve over the years. Certain areas of cognition relating to memory, decision-making, self-control and even navigation were shown to be better in older individuals in a Portuguese study.
3. More empathy
The most empathetic group of people, according to US research is women aged 50+.
4. More pleasurable sex
A survey found that women in their 50s were more likely to report having an orgasm the last time they had sex (70%) compared to those aged 18-24 (61%).
5. More eager to hit the dancefloor
It seems that many older men could give the Strictly youngsters a run for their money – a large survey of 14,000 people found that those aged 65+ were increasingly confident when it came to their dance moves. And it certainly worked for Bill Bailey, who won at age 55!
6. We're more forgiving
Relationships get a boost as we get older, and it’s partly because we’re more likely to let bygones be bygones. It’s easier to know what really matters, and what we can let go of, and we’re a more forgiving bunch according to a study looking at older adults.
7. Better sleep...in a way
While we may sleep for fewer hours as we age, we generally feel better rested and more awake during the day anyway, according to Swiss researchers.
8. Decreased seasonal allergies
Scientists are not quite sure why – possibly an increase in tolerance – but it seems that seasonal allergies seem to lessen with age.
9. Better decision making
It makes sense that a lifetime of experience (and yes, sometimes learning things the hard way!) would improve your ability to make wise decisions in later life.
10. Fewer bad moods
Psychologists from the University of California report older people experiencing less anger, depression and boredom.
11. We're more mindful
One of the reasons it’s suggested we feel more content as we age is an increase in mindfulness. Researchers from an Australian university found that older participants in a study showed more mindful characteristics, such as being better able to focus on the present moment.
12. A good way with words
Studies have shown that our vocabularies only improve with age – especially among book worms. (What better excuse to head to bed with a good book).
13. A strong semantic memory
One area of memory that will continue to serve you well is your semantic memory – the thing that lets you recall things such as family recipes – which is generally resistant to the effects of ageing.
14. Fewer headaches
Many women experience debilitating pain from hormonal headaches, but the good news is that these peak in your mid to late 30s, and decrease as you get past 40.
15. Better perception
There’s no pulling the wool over your eyes now – a study from Psychology and Aging found older people were better at spotting fake smiles amongst genuine ones than younger participants.
16. We get happier
Researchers have found that happiness is a U-shaped curve, dipping down in our 20s and 30s, and coming back up again after 50. Not only that – it keeps going upwards until our 80s!
17. We can help out
Many of us experience a little more free time as the demands of parenting and work calm down. It may give you scope to consider giving back to the wider community through volunteer work– great for physical and mental health.
18. Putting down your ego
A benefit of ageing is it’s easy to stop worrying about how our lives look from the outside. "Most women will agree that once through menopause, the hormonal change means that you do not care what others think about you, either at all or much less than before, which is all liberating," says Polly Arrowsmith, a coach for women aged 50+.
19. You can be (a bit) selfish
Putting down those cares about what other people think also makes it easier to know yourself better. Now is a great time to dress how you want, travel to places that interest you, and prioritise your own health and wellbeing.
20. We make great teachers
This improved sense of perspective also puts you into a great position for helping to guide younger people in their decisions. Plus, studies show that an intergenerational friendship could lower your risk of depression and improve your life satisfaction.
21. Parenting is more fun
While there’s nothing like cuddling a newborn or holding a toddler’s fat little hand, parenting a young adult is magical on a whole different level. They can start to feel like friends as well as family, and you can even turn to them for advice sometimes too! Plus, for the truly fortunate, there may be grandchildren on the horizon too.
22. A healthier heart
While we can’t promise that this will happen on its own, with a little work experts promise it’s never too late to improve your heart health. Even older adults can protect their ticker with lifestyle changes such as diet improvements, exercise and stopping smoking, according to the American Heart Association.
23. We sweat less
Warmer summers may not mean soggy armpits as you age – our sweat glands produce less sweat.
24. Fewer colds
It could be the benefit of not having kids in nursery, or perhaps the fact that our immune systems have been tackling bugs for longer, but for whatever reason those over 50 tend to catch one or two colds per year, compared to younger folk who may get up to three.
25. Senior discounts
Need we say more? Every penny helps, as they say.
26. We’re adaptable
Even if you have fond memories of days gone by, just think how much change you’ve seen in your lifetime, and how well you’ve adapted to it all. If you told your childhood self that you’d be ordering clothes via a computer in the future, she’d never have believed you!
27. Better emotional intelligence
Years of experience make you better at reading people and responding to their needs.
28. Less anxiety
As we age the number of nerve cells in the brain responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response decrease, often helping us feel calmer and less worried.
29. We’re less impulsive
While our reaction times getting slower can be a bad thing, in some situations it’s a positive – for example, we’re less reactive, and tend to take more time to consider situations compared to younger people.
30. Shared history
There’s nothing quite like a relationship that’s stood the test of time: whether it’s a romantic partner, sibling, or life-long friend, that sense of a shared past is something that only gets stronger with age.
31. We've honed our skills
Whether you’re a keen cook, have picked up another language or instrument, or love to craft, there’s no doubt you’ll have racked up some serious hours over the years. You might not feel like an expert, but consider where you started out and give yourself a pat on the back for your persistence.
32. Time to try something new
The good news is, it’s never too late to try something new either. Perhaps you can carve out a little more free time than you previously could, to dedicate towards that long-held dream of yours.
33. We've got more patience
Now that life is less hectic than it once was, and you’ve got a better sense of perspective, you’ll also be more patient – with others, and (hopefully) with yourself too.
34. We're less fearful
A US survey found that older adults were less fearful than younger people, including having a reduced fear of death.
35. We can put down our worries
The same study found that, while older adults were aware of the possible pitfalls around getting older, they tended to be less worried about them.
36. We have an improved body image
"A study showed that body image improved over a five-year period from the ages of 49-54 for a largely female cohort," explains Susie Masterson MBACP psychotherapist and relationship coach. "This seems to be less about the aesthetic and more about acceptance and gratitude for our bodies."
37. Increased endurance
Not only do we feel better about our bodies, but in some ways they are more capable too. "Our endurance improves in midlife," says Susie. "This is a combination of psychological and physiological improvements. In our 50s we tend to focus on strengthening our bodies for longevity rather than working out to impress. This means a considered and committed approach to exercise."
38. We're better at commitment
We know just how valuable a friendship can be at this age, and we are more willing to invest time and effort into them than we might have been as youngsters.
39. We get less stressed
Older adults report getting less stressed than younger people – perhaps not surprising, as over the years it’s easy to gain a sense of perspective about what really matters.
40. We have fewer obligations
There’s a lot of pressure put on young and middle-aged women to ‘have it all’ – the career, the family, the beautiful home, etc. As we get older it’s easier to wriggle out of things we don’t want to do. Not interested in hosting Christmas this year? Let the family know it’s not happening!
41. We tell better stories
There’s nothing like life experience to make you a fantastic orator. We bet you’ve seen some hilarious things over the years, and have some incredible yarns to spin.
42. We can get away with more
The older you get, the more you can say exactly what’s on your mind – and get away with it!
43. Our wellbeing increases
Your emotional wellbeing increases as you get older – in other words, you can feel happier.
44. We have a lower fear of failure
It’s easier for us to handle setbacks with grace, and therefore many people aged 50+ are comfortable with taking a risk and trying something new.
45. We have a deeper connection with nature
Many of us feel at peace in the countryside, on the coast, or even just in our gardens. Getting older often improves that relationship even more.
46. Increased gratitude
Ageing sometimes makes it easier to step back and reflect on what we do have – whether that’s supportive friends, good health, a loving family, or a comfortable home. We are more likely to be thankful for the little things too.
47. We have a broader perspective
While horrible news events are always unsettling, sometimes one benefit of age is that we are able to put things into perspective a little more – we have often seen, for example, the rise and fall of political parties.
48. We experience more romance
"Romantic relationships can improve after 50, as we start to have more free time for ourselves and each other," explains Susie Masterson MBACP psychotherapist and relationship coach. "Time spent on individual hobbies and self-care, have a positive impact on relationships as they offer us a chance to communicate our separate lives to each other and to connect in a new way."
49. We have better friendships
"As with romantic relationships, the situational ties that come in friendships in our early 20s and 30s, now give way to deeper relationships," says Susie. "We might have fewer friends than when we were younger, but the connection is likely to be stronger."
50. We're more positive
A shift in values as we get older helps bring out our inner optimist. "It’s about finding pleasure in small things such as nature, volunteering, being with family and friends. Positive emotions stemming from being present and engaged, rather than stressed and distracted," says Susie.
Lizzy Dening is an award-winning journalist and has spent many years working for Yours magazine both in-house and as a freelance writer and editor. Her specialisms include health and fitness, interviews (both real life and celebrity) and women’s issues. She’s also written for publications including Grazia, Vogue and the Guardian.