Reader's Digest

July• 2018 | 63

READER’S DIGEST

appreciates what she has instead of

concentrating on what she does not

have” Dominguez says. “Being grate-

ful is part of cultivating a positive atti-

tude. Looking for the small pleasures

of daily life focusing on the positive

aspects at that moment without con-

centrating on the shadows of the past

or bad thoughts that may upset the

moment.”

• Give backAfter you retire you’ll
  find more purpose in life and have
  more reasons to connect with others
  on a regular basis if you volunteer in
  your community.
  “It’s beneicial to get more involved”
  Wiking says “especially if you’re at the
  stage when you’re leaving your work
  behind so all of your identity isn’t
  attached to your profession.”
  Find a cause or an organisation
  that’s meaningful to you then ind out
  how you can help.
  “I think people see volunteer work
  as good for other people but we over-
  look the beneit we get out of it our-
  selves” Wiking says. “It’s a way to
  make and meet new friends. It also
  perhaps helps people become more
  grateful for what they have because
  some sorts of charity work expose you
  to how the other half lives.”

be. his can lead to tension and un-

happiness in a marriage which afects

daily happiness levels.

“It’s not fair to treat your spouse as

toughly as you treat yourself” Helli-

well says. “Ask yourself: Is this the

sort of behaviour that I would use on

a friend? If you treat your spouse the

way you treat your friend it should

involve less taking for granted and an

increase of the positivity.”

• Focus on what you haveIf you’re
  less mobile than you were be thank-
  ful that you still have your wits about
  you when so many others sufer from
  dementia and memory loss.
  “hat is an excellent example of a
  positive and optimistic person who

“OPTIMISTIC OLDER

ADULTS HAVE THE

ABILITYto cope

with the curve

ballsOF LIFE” SAYS

LISA CARVER. “THEY

ARE RESILIENT”

BRANCHING OUT

There are more trees on Earth than stars in the Milky Way

(three trillion and 100 billion respectively).

FROM1423 Q.I. FACTS TO BOWL YOU OVER