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piece to a long and healthy life. In the same survey from Abbott and ICAA, nearly all respondents (97 percent) said that they believe a positive attitude can add years to their life, and 98 percent said that a positive attitude was important in their recovery from a health setback. These beliefs are backed by science. In a 2016 study of 4,000 adults ages 50 and older, researchers identified that people with a positive outlook on aging have lower levels of c-reactive protein in the body, a marker of stressrelated inflammation. This helps explain why people with a positive outlook live seven and a half years longer than people with negative outlooks.
“Whether you’re moving to a new city, keeping up with grandchildren or taking on a new part-time job in retirement, a positive attitude coupled with proper nutrition and an active lifestyle can open a whole new world of possibilities you might not have imagined when you were younger,” said Colin Milner, CEO and Founder, ICAA.
An injury, health setback or just the simple act of aging can make you think you have to slow down or sit on the sidelines. However, many Boomers — like Bill, Helen and Byron — are challenging these antiquated notions and attitudes about aging and are not letting setbacks or their age define them.
Whatever obstacles you face, whatever dreams you have, there are plenty of other people out there who have taken steps to living their best lives by saying, “I can,” instead of, “I can’t.” Check out the stories of Bill, Helen, Byron, Jennie and many other “Can Do” people by visiting www.ensure.com/cando. (BPT) l NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2017
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