Getting old provides happiness?

A study in the US showed that the increase in life expectancy of the population can bring more happiness. That's right: the aging not only brings wrinkles, sagging and forgetfulness. Have more years of age can also bring good things like experience and will to live.

Much evidence indicates that aging can be the key to happiness. Older adults are generally more optimistic and have a positive view of the world.

Research published in 2008 by Yang Yang, a sociologist at the University of Chicago, suggests that the increase in years of life follows the increase of happiness.

A more recent study by another team of researchers and published in the journal Cortex, suggests that older adults remember the past with joy. The researchers say that the good memories are recorded in brain activity and that older people remember positive themes of life more often than young people.

Scholars also published in a 2014 edition of Psychology and Aging magazine that getting older can bring more joy, as people become more comfortable with their roles in society.

Older adults also want to enjoy life more. A survey by the Pew Research Center, made with 2,969 adults in 2015 showed that seven out of ten respondents aged over 65 said they were enjoying more than spending time with family. About two-thirds reported that they had more time for hobbies, more financial security and did not have to work.

In 2015, researchers examined 500 Americans 60 to 98 years old who had been dealing with cancer, heart disease, diabetes and mental health problems. The study showed that even with health problems, these seniors rated the degree of aging as successful.

Happiness in old age may be associated with greater ease to adapt and cope with the changes of life.