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Curiosity and creativity help transform older people into seemingly younger ones, says Vaillant, even if their joints ache and even once their days of enjoying free access to the office copying machine are a distant memory. Individuals who are always learning something new about the world, maintaining a playful spirit, and finding younger friends as they lose older ones also are making the most of the aging process.
The course of your own aging, argues Vaillant, is not written in stone, or even in your ancestry. Yes, he says, there may be genes that influence longevity, but because everyone has many good and many bad longevity genes, they tend to average out.
Even if your present lifestyle isn't what it should be, it's never too late to change. "It's a little like opening an IRA," says Vaillant. "The earlier you start one, the better, but no matter what your age, it's still worth doing." Everyone can make lifestyle changes that can move them in the direction of aging well.
Reviewed By:
Jodee Meddy,
Dr. Pourrat Monahemi
August 2002
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The Secrets of Aging Well
