Forget slowing down with age—Super Agers are rewriting the rules of getting older.
Most people expect cognitive decline and reduced vitality with age, but not everyone follows the script. Enter the Super Ager—a rare group of individuals in their 70s, 80s, and beyond who maintain the memory, attention, and energy of people decades younger. Neuroscientists studying them at Northwestern University found that Super Agers’ brains look younger and resist the typical shrinkage linked to aging (Rogalski, 2019).
So, what separates them from the rest of us? It’s not magic or luck—it’s a collection of traits and habits that anyone can cultivate with commitment. Over the next six posts, we’ll explore the characteristics of Super Agers and give you a practical step you can take toward becoming one yourself.
Here’s what’s ahead:
• Post 2: Lifelong Learning and Curiosity
• Post 3: Staying Socially Engaged
• Post 4: Physical Activity and Strength
• Post 5: Resilience and a Positive Outlook
• Post 6: Purpose and Passion in Life
• Post 7: Healthy Eating Patterns
Action Step: Make a journal entry today: write down one person you admire who aged well and note what habits you think kept them thriving.
Citation: Rogalski, E. J. (2019). “SuperAgers: Individuals aged 80 and older with superior episodic memory.” Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.