Grow happier as you age

Most people become happier with age, and you can too. There are five key things you can do to stay vital and happy in your later years.

Studies conducted by Dr Heather Lacey and Dr Peter Ubel at the Center for Behavioural and Decision Science in Michigan found that most people tend to get happier as they grow older.

According to Dr Ubel, this makes perfect sense. Happiness, he says, is all about how well we cope with what life throws at us. "People get better at managing life's ups and downs. The result is that, as they age, they become happier, even though their circumstances, such as their health, can decline," he explains.

But achieving a happy retirement can take work and patience. Many older people complain they feel useless or don’t know what to do with their time. Here are five strategies that research has found raises happiness levels:

Keep on keeping on

We all know people who work hard for 40 years only to find retirement unsatisfying. Surprisingly, one of the keys to happiness after retirement is doing exactly what you did before. Keep getting dressed in the morning, keep cooking and going out, and keep making an effort. Research suggests that people who maintain their personal standards and believe retirement is just as important working life, are likely to be happier in the long run.

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Give attention to people you love

Once people have made the shift to retirement, friends and family are at the top of the list of things that make them happy. If you’re lucky enough to be married you’re already on to a winner, but friends are also vital. In fact, economist Professor Andrew Oswald at Warwick University reckons it would take a whopping £50,000 to make up for them.

Finding friends that share your interests - in the way your work colleagues used to share your day-to-day business - may make you the most contented. Websites such as Friends Reunited (see Useful links) can put you in touch with old friends.

Get into the flow

People may tell you to keep busy but mindless activity won’t have the same effect on happiness as hobbies that interest you. The most effective are ones that hold your attention so much you lose track of time. It doesn’t matter what it is: sudoko, gardening and learning a language are some examples.

Research on retirement has found that people who spend at least six hours a week doing something active that they enjoy are more likely to be content.

Want to develop new skills? Most local councils and further education colleges hold evening classes in subjects varying from flower arranging to Pilates, and organisations such as the University of the Third Age (U3A) will introduce you to everything from family history to the night sky. Online courses start at £8 for eight lessons. (See Useful links for the U3A website.)

Show goodwill to all men

Want to boost your happiness whatever your situation? Carrying out five acts of kindness, big or small, a week will help significantly, according to new research. You could help at a local school, look after your grandchildren, weed a neighbour's garden, or say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to someone who made your day. These will all boost your sense of contentment.

For ideas about volunteering in the UK, see the websites of Volunteering England, and CSV, the UK's largest volunteering and training organisation. For volunteering abroad, see the website of Volunteer Service Overseas (see Useful links).

Be realistic about money

Almost everyone thinks money will make them more secure, and therefore happier. In fact, money is the one thing that has relatively little impact on happiness. Once everyday needs have been met, most research suggests that more money makes no difference to long-term happiness. Even winning the lottery only gives a short-term boost before happiness levels return to normal.

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