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Age beliefs impact our health in ways big and small,” says Levy, who became interested in psychology as a U-M undergraduate. She completed her graduate work at Harvard, and is now a professor of epidemiology and of psychology at Yale.
At last, Professor Becca Levy shows how we can harness the power of the mind to live a longer and more fulfilling life. She brings a unique perspective about a question we are all concerned with: What happens as we age and get older? She brilliantly shows how we can successfully age. The book offers great insights and it is a must read!”
Dislodging the stereotypes
Scientist/author Becca Levy, BA ’87, is a professor of both epidemiology and psychology at Yale. (Image courtesy of Levy.)
While Levy’s research underscores the value of celebrating our advancing years as a time for creativity, exploration, and accomplishment, today’s reality is often quite different. All too frequently, personal views, cultural stereotypes, and institutional biases about aging are tilted in a negative direction. I can see more clearly how harmful age-related beliefs have hurt me, from when I was hesitant to try things in my youth because I thought myself to be "too young" up until now, when I worry about attempting something due to being "too old." And certainly, I should stop makes assumptions about others due to their age as well. In Japan they have an annual celebration of the aged – Keiro No Hi. The government sends all centenarians and supercentenarians cheques, and each prefecture holds a party for its oldest citizen.
Some Nuggets from Breaking the Age Code
Doc: Yes, we are excited to present our research—and, uhh, "oldster" is an example of the endemic ageism in— A Yale professor and leading expert on the psychology of successful aging draws on her groundbreaking research to show how age beliefs can be improved so they benefit all aspects of the aging process.”— The Next Big Idea Club Consider how you speak to the older people in your life, for example. Do you use simplified language? A louder than normal volume? Do you get more easily frustrated when trying to explain things to older relatives because you assume they won't understand?
Scientist Becca Levy, BA ’87, a leading expert on the psychology of successful aging, says taking an upbeat attitude toward aging can not only improve your physical and mental health as you grow older ― but also may add nearly eight years to your lifespan. Pub: (nods impatiently) We’ll need somewhat more, uhh, punchy text. You see, people want to read stories, not just facts and logic. People … we need real people. And famous people or unusual stories. In the Western world, ageing is seen as limiting and there’s often a dismissive attitude to the elderly. Youthfulness is exalted and older people are often dismissed. For example, if an older person is depressed it’s often brushed off as a natural part of ageing and not taken seriously by doctors. Some Nuggets from Breaking the Age Code According to research carried out – The Ohio Longitudinal Study, combined with the NDI (National Death Index) – people with the most positive views on ageing live an average of 7.5 years longer than those with negative views.What it comes down to, in a nutshell, is that the more positive our view on ageing, the more fulfilling our experience and the better our overall health and mobility will be. We don’t appear to appreciate the immense power that our own attitude to ageing has over our bodies and minds. The difference between a negative or positive outlook can reflect in an average of 7.5 years added to our lives. Our Attitude Towards Age is Affected by Society
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