- LONDON (Reuters Health) -
Expressions like "You're only as old as you feel" may be cliches,
but according to a new study they can have a positive effect on a person's
mental and physical well being.
-
- Researchers from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston
found that so-called "memorable messages" about aging can persuade
people to change their lifestyle as they grow older.
-
- Dr. Sherry J. Holladay and colleagues wanted to test
if pearls of wisdom about the benefits and drawbacks of growing old actually
have any impact on the way younger people live their lives as they get
older.
-
- To find out, they asked 104 people ages 18 to 77 to fill
out a questionnaire detailing one specific memorable message they recalled
and how it had influenced them. The results were published recently in
the Journal of Communication.
-
- The responses were split into different groups, according
to how each message interpreted the aging process. Messages to do with
enjoying life included "You're only young once, enjoy it while you
can," and those to do with age being a state of mind included "Getting
old and being old are two different things."
-
- Most messages the volunteers remembered put a positive
spin on the aging process. Thirty-four percent said they had either changed
their lives or changed their relationships with others as a result. About
11% had resolved to enjoy life more, and 7% had taken up exercise and were
eating healthily.
-
- Describing the impact of memorable messages, one volunteer
wrote: "The message had a tremendous effect on my thoughts of old
age. I now see it as an award for leading a decent life."
-
- Another wrote: "It has shown me that aging is not
a bad thing. It will be a time where I can relax and watch my family grow."
-
- Holladay said it is most likely that people remember
phrases or messages that are important to them, either because of the timing
or their own beliefs.
-
- SOURCE: Journal of Communication 2002;52:681-69.
-
- Copyright © 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited
without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable
for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance
thereon.
|
