You're never too old!!! OR - WHY 70 IS THE NEW 30

A short while ago, I overheard a conversation where someone suggested that their friend try a new adventure.  It wasn’t anything too frightening or life-altering.  It didn’t require changing jobs, moving cities, getting married or divorced, having a child.  It didn’t involve bungee jumping or parachuting or swimming with sharks.  I was heartbroken to hear this person say “I’m too old.”

Many folks believe that, as we age, little bits of our brain start to die off.  They believe that, the older we get, the less effective we are mentally.  So, you can imagine how excited I was to read some information from the George Washington University College of Medicine that said “the peak of human intellectual activity occurs at about 70 years old, when the brain begins to work at full strength”.  After the age of 60, it is far easier to use both hemispheres of our brain at the same time, helping us to solve more complex problems.  In fact, if we strive to lead a healthy life, we won’t reach our mental peak until we are 80-90 years old!!!

But there is a caveat.  If a person stops learning, stops taking on new mental challenges, the connections between our brain’s neurons simply disappear.  Granted, the older you get, you may start to experience some forgetfulness, feel a little absent-minded.  But that’s simply because our brains have an overabundance of information!  Kind of like a computer that has used up most of its RAM, we need to let go of the unnecessary, especially if it is negative in nature and pulling us down.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, at the age of 60, you reach the peak of your emotional and mental potential.  And this carries on until you are into your 80s. 
So – pick up that new craft or hobby!  Engage in new activities.  Direct a play, go into politics, become an advocate, speak your mind!  And, if someone has the audacity to say “Aren’t you too old to….”, be sure to let them know you’re just now hitting your stride!