The Years Ahead: Is Happiness in Your Future?

Getting older really gets a bad rap. It turns out you'll have a lot to smile about.

That's because you'll actually be happier, despite gray hairs or wrinkles. A three-decades-long survey confirms it: Your odds of scoring well on a happiness scale increase about 5 percent every decade.

With Age Comes . . .
There's one major advantage to getting older (at least for most of us!), and that's maturity. Researchers suspect that it's maturity that enriched people's lives and boosted their happy factor in a recent study -- even when faced with health concerns or lost relationships. Know what else helped ensure happiness in the study? Education. (Find out what scientists say makes people happiest.)

Why Wait!
But you don't have to wait until you're gray to get happy. Put yourself on the love-your-life path today with some simple life changes:

• Sweat it. Yep, working that body of yours turns the fretting volume waaay down. No gym membership? No problem. Try this workout that uses your body as a gym.
• Train yourself to think good thoughts. Your attitude affects your health.
• Stay out of debt. Money worries will dampen anyone's spirits. Check out the RealAge Financial Center for living-within-your-means tips and tools.

Need an emotional lift? Visit the RealAge Mind and Mood Center for expert advice.

The social connectedness of older adults: a national profile. Cornwell, B. et al. American Sociological Review 2008;73(2):185-203.