In a landmark “Counterclockwise” study at Harvard University,[1] a group of men in their 70s went to a retreat locale that was a sort of time machine back to 1959. The participants listened to Perry Como, watched Ed Sullivan, read magazines from the ’50s, and were not allowed to speak about anything that took place after 1959. If you’re a nostalgic person, you may think this seems like a fun way to spend a week, but the study’s point was to measure the physical effects of the surroundings on the older participants.
Believe it or not, reliving aspects of the time when the participants were younger seemed to make them younger. There was a measurable improvement in their physical strength, manual dexterity, memory, cognition, hearing, and vision. Outside observers even said the participants looked younger when shown before and after pictures. Talk about age just being a number! You could say it pays to be old-fashioned.
When people are asked to produce memories, they tend to recall memories from the “reminiscence bump” in adolescence and early adulthood. There are many reasons for this: There are many “firsts” during that period of time, like first graduation, job, and first experiences like falling in love and losing a loved one. This is generally the period when people develop their sense of self, form their beliefs, and make important decisions that affect them for the rest of their lives. Because of this, it could be the case that the “reminiscence bump” can be used to help keep you young.
There may be ways in which America’s aging population will shape the future in the coming years. We see recycled fashion trends and décor styles coming back, plus remakes of classic films like West Side Story. Some of the best TV series and movies now are “period pieces” from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Mad Men. The past holds so much inspiration, and Americans 50 and over will be able to appreciate recycled trends the most.
Retirement can be a good time to reconnect with one’s self after a busy career, go back to one’s roots, and pursue what makes us happy – be that golf or watching reruns of Columbo and listening to the Beatles. Whatever you want your retirement to look like, we can help you create a comprehensive retirement plan that takes your lifestyle goals into account. Click HERE to sign up for a meeting with us at to talk about your retirement goals.
