How Increased Longevity Will Transform Our Lives: Insights from Psychologist Laura Carstensen

As advancements in health and technology enable people to live to 100 years and beyond, psychologist Laura Carstensen of Stanford University explores the profound effects this extended lifespan will have on society and individual well-being. Drawing on her research, Carstensen emphasizes that our understanding of aging and life stages must evolve to accommodate this new reality.

Carstensen recounts her personal journey into aging, which began after a severe car accident at 21 that required her to spend months in an orthopedic ward. Her interactions with older patients, often treated differently due to their age, sparked her interest in how social perceptions shape the aging process. She found that aging is not solely a biological course but significantly influenced by societal attitudes.

Her clinical work in supporting older adults revealed remarkable emotional resilience among seniors facing numerous challenges. Studies consistently show that emotional well-being tends to improve with age, contradicting common beliefs that happiness peaks in youth. Carstensen attributes this to shifts in how people perceive time: as individuals age, they focus more on positive experiences and become better at regulating emotions.

Research indicates that life’s emotional quality improves over time. Younger adults tend to experience a broader range of emotions, including negative ones, while older adults show a preference for positive stimuli and emotional balance. When reminded of life's finite nature, individuals tend to adopt a more optimistic outlook, emphasizing the importance of appreciating each life stage.

Given these insights, Carstensen advocates for a societal shift—the development of a "New Map of Life"—that recognizes the diversity of age and caters to longer lifespans. This includes rethinking education, work, retirement, and healthcare systems to support longer, more fulfilling lives. The Stanford Center on Longevity, which she co-founded, aims to harness research and innovation to ensure longer life remains a positive experience.

She stresses that aging should be embraced as an opportunity for growth, contribution, and emotional richness. As people live longer, society must adapt to cultivate well-being and purpose across all ages, transforming the way we experience life in an era where old age is no longer the end but a new beginning.

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