Gallup has been studying wellbeing and aging in America and has discovered four key secrets to better emotional health in old age. Americans who do these four things may help improve their emotional wellbeing when they are 65 years and older:
- Get more education: The more educated they are, the more likely seniors are to be emotionally well-off.
- Obtain a standard of living you enjoy: Americans aged 65 and older who say they are satisfied with their standard of living are more than twice as likely as those who are dissatisfied to report high emotional health.
- Keep working: Seniors who work -- full or part time -- are more likely than those who don't (even after controlling for all other variables) to have high emotional health.
- Take care of your physical health: Older Americans who say they are in excellent or very good overall health are significantly more likely than those who say their health is good, fair, or poor to have high emotional health.
These findings come from the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, a daily survey of 1,000 Americans. Together, they show that an ability to be active and productive -- mentally and physically -- are crucial to happiness as Americans age.