Research

Waning Whispers of Worry

Resilience to Stress: A Surprising Benefit of Aging

As we journey through life, we often discover that with age comes not just years but wisdom, particularly in the realm of emotional and social intelligence. Our experiences mold our emotional responses, leading to more refined reactions to various scenarios.

Central to this growth is our fight or flight response, a primal instinct governed by certain cells within our locus ceruleus (sympathetic nervous system). These cells, acting as custodians of our most basic survival instincts, gradually decrease in number as we age¹. This decline fosters a calming effect as our fight or flight response weakens.

This natural decrease in the locus ceruleus cells results in a trade-off. While it may result in a slower reaction to immediate danger, it also affords us a longer timeframe to process and thoughtfully respond to situations. This slower pace enables us to deliberate and offer more considered responses, turning potential weaknesses into strengths.

If you are anything like me and navigate life's waters with anxiety as a constant companion, aging may have just become more exciting. The very bodily functions that may have once fueled our anxious moments will gradually quiet with time, paving the way for more serenity and calmness.

_{1. “The Benefits of Aging.”}_{Columbia University Irving Medical Center}_{, 16 Aug. 2022, www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/benefits-aging.}

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Coffee table Book Photos

Five Films & Shows That Offer more Authentic Portrayals of Ageing

Finding movies and shows that authentically portray ageing is a challenge, but its not impossible. Here are 5 films and shows that do a better job than most at portraying old age.

Chatting with Joana Coll Ferrer

Earlier this year, I took a trip to Menorca with my friend and his girlfriend (she is my friend as well but this sets the scene better). The group was going to be larger which meant I would be stuck on this small island with two people who are dating - talk about a third wheel. We stayed at a villa in Menorca owned and run by my friend’s girlfriend’s grandma - or as we call her, iaia. I didn’t meet her until a few days in when we ended up at her home for lunch. While I couldn’t communicate much with her due to the language barrier, I felt instantly welcomed. She shared her food with us and showed us her beautiful paintings. What struck me was the energy I felt radiating from her - she was really living life. I knew I wanted to include her perspective in this book, we all have some things we can learn from iaia.

Chatting with Elżbieta Skowroń

Outside of being the mother of two amazing children, Elżbieta Skowroń is a seasoned management executive, coach, and mentor with over three decades of experience in finance and operations. Throughout her career, she has excelled in the automotive industry, a field known for being incredibly male-dominated. Her dedication and resilience not only inspired me to embark on this project but also continually motivate me to push my own boundaries. In my conversation with her, I sought to delve deeper into her insights on the automotive industry, ageism, and more.

Exploring the Beauty of Ageing

As we navigate the later years of life, it’s clear that ageing is not about decline but about transformation and enrichment across various aspects of life, from reduced anxiety to enhanced social connections and increased happiness and pleasure. Understanding and embracing these changes can lead to a more satisfying and joyful journey through the golden years.

Impact of Ageism: Psychological, Physical, & Financial Wellbeing

Ageism is clearly prevalent in film and advertising, presenting itself in the form of underrepresentation and misrepresentation of people over 50. Older people are systematically portrayed as incompetent, grumpy, lonely, and confused; they end up marginalised and portrayed as dependent and cognitively impaired. This age-based prejudice manifests in how society dismisses older adults, and terms like “elderly,” “geezer,” “senior,” “senile,” imply the existence of a homogeneous and inferior group.