Adventure and Aging: The Power of a Positive Mindset and Outdoor Exploration

The way we view aging can significantly impact our health and well-being as we grow older. Research has shown that having a positive attitude towards aging can reduce the risk of death from any cause by 43% over a four-year period. However, it can be challenging to maintain a positive mindset about aging in the face of negative societal stereotypes.

One solution to changing our mindset on aging is through outdoor adventure. A group of women in their sixties, seventies, eighties, and even nineties called the Wave Chasers have found that engaging in activities like boogie boarding has transformed their outlook on aging. For example, Loraine Vaught shared that boogie boarding had completely changed her life. Stepping into the cold, powerful Pacific Ocean required nerve and bravery, and being tumbled by waves challenged them in ways they didn’t expect.

The camaraderie among the Wave Chasers and the pure joy they experienced challenged the stereotypes of aging, proving that they were anything but frail, cognitively impaired, or boring. Engaging in outdoor adventures like boogie boarding can help shift our perspective on aging and show us that life can be just as thrilling and fulfilling as we get older.