Positive Psychology Archive

Setting health goals can help people in their 50s avoid developing a chronic condition that can hamper healthy aging. Goals can include improving balance through various exercises; learning a new skill to improve brain sharpness; seeking age-appropriate cancer screenings, such as for colorectal, cervical, and breast cancers; prioritizing bone health by boosting calcium and vitamin D intake and weight-bearing exercise; maintaining muscle strength through strength and resistance training; and paying closer attention to diet.

A 2024 study suggested that closely following the MIND diet, which emphasizes plant-based foods and limited animal products and saturated fats, may slow cognitive decline compared to other eating patterns.

At some point, most older adults experience the occasional "senior moment" where they misplace an everyday object, lose their train of thought during a conversation, or forget why they walked into a room. Memory lapses like this are part of normal aging, but the problem can be exacerbated by issues like depression, stress, poor sleep, and medication side effects. If these episodes become so frequent or substantial that they interfere with a person's daily life or safety, it's time to see a doctor.

Some scientists believe that microbes might play a part in Alzheimer's disease development. They say it could be that certain viruses or bacteria that infect the brain aren't completely eradicated by the immune system, which leads to neuroinflammation and brain cell death. It could also be that microbes trigger the release of protein deposits-amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles-which kill neurons, further increase neuroinflammation, and lead to more neuron death.

A 2024 study of 10,000 people (average age 67) who answered questions about resilience every other year for 12 years found that people with more resilience were much less likely to die in the next decade, compared with people with less resilience.

In the US, supplements are not tested in the way prescription medicines are, and their manufacturers can make claims about their abilities that may or may not be true. But there are some rules supplement makers must follow, and the FDA's plan to revamp its regulation of dietary supplements is a step toward improving consumer protection.

The experience of sexual violence may have later effects on both physical and emotional health. Being aware of these possibilities can help you identify and respond to them promptly.

Toxic productivity is an obsessive preoccupation with being productive at all costs. It's not a diagnosable health condition, but can take a toll on people's mental well-being, leading to insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Toxic productivity is marked by a false sense of urgency, an inability to relax, and guilt or shame over not accomplishing "enough." People coping with toxic productivity can combat the impulse by doing deep breathing, journaling, and examining their relationship to downtime.