{"id":31405,"date":"2020-04-23T16:09:49","date_gmt":"2020-04-23T20:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/therapytoronto.ca\/news\/?p=31405"},"modified":"2020-04-14T02:53:22","modified_gmt":"2020-04-14T06:53:22","slug":"study-looks-at-why-life-can-get-better-as-we-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/therapytoronto.ca\/news\/2020\/04\/study-looks-at-why-life-can-get-better-as-we-age\/","title":{"rendered":"Study looks at why life can get better as we age"},"content":{"rendered":"

From the Flinders University press release:<\/p>\n

People say life gets better with age<\/strong>. Now research suggests this may be because older people have the wisdom and time to use mindfulness<\/strong> as a means to improve wellbeing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Healthy ageing researchers at Flinders University say certain characteristics of mindfulness seem more strongly evident in older people<\/strong> compared to younger people — and suggest ways for all ages to benefit.<\/p>\n

“This suggests that mindfulness may naturally develop with time and life experience<\/strong>,” says behavioural scientist Associate Professor Tim Windsor, who co-authored a recent study based on an online community survey of 623 participants aged between 18 and 86?years.<\/p>\n

“The significance of mindfulness for wellbeing may also increase as we get older, in particular the ability to focus on the present moment and to approach experiences in a non-judgmental way.<\/p>\n

“These characteristics are helpful in adapting to age-related challenges and in generating positive emotions<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

Mindfulness refers to the natural human ability to be aware of one’s experiences and to pay attention to the present moment in a purposeful, receptive, and non-judgmental way. Using mindful techniques can be instrumental in reducing stress and promoting positive psychological outcomes.<\/p>\n

From middle age to old age, the Flinders University survey highlights the tendency to focus on the present-moment<\/strong> and adopt a non-judgmental orientation<\/strong> may become especially important for well-being with advancing age.<\/p>\n

In one of the first age-related studies of its kind, the researchers assessed participants’ mindful qualities such as present-moment attention, acceptance, non-attachment and examined the relationships of these qualities with wellbeing more generally.<\/p>\n

“The ability to appreciate the temporary nature of personal experiences may be particularly important for the way people manage their day-to-day goals across the second half of life,” says study lead author Leeann Mahlo, who is investigating mindfulness in older adulthood as part of her PhD research.<\/p>\n

“We found that positive relationships between aspects of mindfulness and wellbeing became stronger from middle age onwards<\/strong>,” she says.<\/p>\n

“Our findings suggest that if mindfulness has particular benefits in later life, this could be translated into tailored training approaches to enhanced wellbeing in older populations.”<\/p>\n

Mindfulness skills can help build wellbeing at any age, adds clinical psychology PhD candidate Ms Mahlo.<\/p>\n

Tips to develop mindful techniques include:<\/p>\n