6 Ways Life Gets Better as You Age

Right around the time you hit the big 4-0, life gets different. You might feel the sting when strangers start referring to you as “Ma’am” instead of “Miss.” Remembering certain words and facts can become a challenge. And, of course, there are changes in your appearance.

The transition isn’t always easy. Still, take heart. Rodan + Fields products can help with some of the visible signs of aging. And your life may improve, too, in ways the outside world can’t always see. Here are just a few changes to look forward to:

1. You’re happier with yourself. As you get older, you come closer to the realization that you’re pretty great just the way you are. According to a 16-year study of thousands of Americans of all ages, self-esteem rises through adulthood and reaches its peak, surprisingly, at age 60. Why? University of California, Davis, professor Richard W. Robins, a co-author of the 2010 study, says, “Midlife is a time of highly stable work, family and romantic relationships. People increasingly occupy positions of power and status, which might promote feelings of self-esteem.”

2. The glass starts to look half-full. Research suggests that older people tend to be happier than people in their 20s and 30s because they focus on the positive more than their younger counterparts do. When lecturing her students on what psychologists now call “the positivity effect,” psychology professor Laura Carstensen, founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, says, “I tell them, ‘The best is yet to come.’”

3. You become the expert. Whether it’s your work, a hobby or a sport, you’ve probably achieved some amount of mastery and success. You also begin to transition from being a mentee to being a mentor, a role reversal that feels really good. Some of the benefits of mentoring include new insights into young people and increased patience — something we could all use more of.

4. Your friendships are deeper. Though your circle may have gotten smaller, the people who’ve stuck with you really matter. “One of the most significant skills gained with age is employing what we have learned about ourselves in how we conduct our relationships,” writes Wendy Lustbader, MSW, a psychotherapist and author of Life Gets Better: The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older. “We appreciate the loyalty of true friends more and more… .”

5. You don’t take anything for granted. Studies suggest that older adults feel more gratitude than young or middle-aged people do — and people with a strong sense of gratitude are happier, more resilient and even healthier. That’s worth a few gray hairs.

6. Your skin can improve. Just because you’re older doesn’t mean your skin has to look like it is. Many people who use our products say their skin looks better now than it did when they were younger. Whether you’ve cleared up your acne or are finally hydrating enough, with the right care you can look as young as you feel.