A happy life. A meaningful life. A life filled with new and interesting experiences. If you could choose just one way to live, which would you pick?
Each person has a different perspective on what it means to “live well,” but a recent report from the Mather Institute and the University of Chicago delved deeper into the question of how each of those perspectives can influence older adults’ habits, health and happiness – and contribute to successful aging in unique ways.
In the study, residents of Life Plan Communities were asked to choose their preference out of three options:
- A happy life, rooted in comfort and security, with plenty of enjoyable experiences and a relaxing, rewarding day-to-day routine.
- A meaningful life, which may be spent in service to others, pursuing a personal purpose or calling, or contributing to something greater than oneself.
- A psychologically rich life, filled with a wide variety of ideas and experiences that have the potential to change how one sees the world.
What the study found was unexpected. More than half of respondents chose meaningful living (52%) – a sharp contrast from previous surveys of younger Americans, which found a strong preference for a happiness (62%). The difference, researchers suggest, may be due to developmental differences that arise over the course of life: As we age, we tend to gravitate towards long-term values of purpose and belonging.
In another surprise, a sizeable portion of older adults surveyed – 18%, or almost one out of five – chose a “psychologically rich” life, compared to just 13% of younger adults. These adventurous agers may be drawn to vibrant and varied activities like traveling, art, and cuisine, and may enjoy more active hobbies like gardening.
In the end, however, the winning lifestyle was a balanced one. All three answers were associated with markers of healthy living, like exercise, healthy diet, and life satisfaction – leading researchers to suggest that “it may be beneficial to cultivate all three, because each contributes something unique to successful aging.”
As a Life Fulfilling Community®, The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch is rooted in a scientific model for health and happiness that permeates all we do – and we’re committed to creating an environment that empowers happiness, meaning, and curiosity throughout life. From our preventive wellness programs and exceptional healthcare … to our wide array of classes, member-activities and social events, ours is a community where anyone, at any age, can thrive.
But you don’t have to take our word for it. Instead, we invite you to pay us a visit and experience for yourself what makes The Glenridge Sarasota’s best senior living community. Send us a message or give our Life Planning Team a call at 941-552-5369 to schedule a personal tour.
To discover what life is like at The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch – once again named the best senior living community in Sarasota (for the 15th year in a row!) – visit our other blog posts or find us on Facebook.