Advanced age and contentment

Several studies of aging and mental health show that happiness and emotional well-being improve over time. As adults age, they exhibit increased emotional control, allowing them to avoid stressful situations and negative experiences.

Speaking at the convention of the American Psychological Association in Toronto, Susan Turk Charles of University of California, Irvine noted that "we know that older people are increasingly aware that the time they have left in life is growing shorter. They want to make the best of it so they avoid engaging in situations that will make them unhappy."

While the findings presented at the convention may not apply to aging adults living in stressful situations or those with dementia, the general population may very well enjoy increased happiness as they age. Reports presented also point to the value of strong social connections in overall cognitive health and reduction of stress in older adults.

News source: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/aging/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100243323