My quality of life is great.
My story: I would still be leading a life of quiet desperation if still married.
Well, at age 50 I had my stroke and the result of that is making me happy for the rest of my life. Got divorced at age 58, fired at age 56. All leading to moving to Michigan and finding lots of new friendships.
(Life is
definitely better as I age, I got divorced enhancing my happiness
immeasurably. I'm retired and comfortably well off. And healthy as I can
be post stroke. I'm going to live a long time yet.)
No Time to Die: Is Well-Being the Elixir for Healthy Aging?
Well-being may have a stronger influence on cognitive aging than many clinicians recognize, according to Benjamin San Deville, MD, a clinical neuropsychologist from the CHU de Liège in Liège, Belgium. His recent presentation at the Knowledge Forum organized by the Friends of the University of Liège Network highlighted how personal fulfillment shapes stress management, memory retention, and overall health during aging.
“Does our memory deteriorate as we get older? Fake news!” Deville began his presentation by debunking common assumptions about cognitive aging. “This statement needs to be qualified: Memory is composed of several systems. Working memory is sensitive to age and stress. Episodic memory also tends to weaken over time but generally remains well preserved. Procedural memory, on the other hand, is very robust and can withstand pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease. There’s even a system that improves with age: semantic memory.”
He continued by emphasizing that memory difficulties are not necessarily a sign of a brain disorder. “Neural networks can be affected by stress, fatigue, or multitasking. Memory depends on many factors that are not purely medical,” he said. He added that stereotypes also play a role; how others perceive a person’s memory can influence actual performance, and the same applies to self-perception. Younger individuals feel that their memory tends to function better. “Some studies suggest that it even affects life expectancy,” he said.
He also noted that performing daily intellectual exercises, such as crosswords or Sudoku, does not improve overall memory. “You become good at that specific task, but that doesn’t mean you’ll remember a conversation better or find your keys faster,” he said. What matters most, he emphasized, is engaging in activities that people genuinely enjoy, whether mentally or physically. “Taking the time to do something you enjoy reduces stress and decreases the production of cortisol, a hormone that negatively impacts memory. It also helps you to sleep better. Deep sleep is crucial to memory consolidation. Additionally, playing sports promotes the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, which positively affects neuronal function. Some studies have shown that exercise promotes brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that plays a role in the generation of new neurons.”
Blue Zone Lessons
Deville said the key message is that psychological factors may play a crucial role in healthy cognitive aging than often assumed. This raises a broader question: “Are well-being and quality of life the true secrets to healthy aging?” By “well-being,” he refers to feeling well despite the possible presence of a disease. He noted that the quality of life is broader and includes psychological well-being, financial stability, strong social support, and the presence or absence of health problems.
“Studies show, unsurprisingly, that the higher one’s quality of life, the longer one’s life expectancy. However, they can yield different results depending on the culture and socioeconomic level of the countries: Incomes considered ‘comfortable’ in Brazil will not necessarily be perceived in the same way as in the United States.” he said.
To look beyond cultural differences and identify common features of a good quality of life, Deville highlighted the Blue Zones: Okinawa (Japan), Ikaria (Greece), the Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica), the Ogliastra region (Italy), and Loma Linda (United States).
These regions have an unusually high number of people who have reached a very old age and are in good health. Their diets share the following key characteristics: little meat or dairy; abundant vegetables, nuts, and tubers; and few processed foods. Meals are often light and locally sourced, and residents typically walk long distances at an early age.
Physiological factors matter; however, psychological traits appear to be equally important. Residents of Blue Zones tend to find strong meaning in life. In Okinawa, for example, many people embrace the concept of “ikigai,” translated as “the reason for getting up in the morning.” “Studies have shown that this very high sense of purpose is associated with better stress regulation, adoption of healthier behaviors, and a form of cognitive resilience. This is what allows people to keep moving forward in life despite potential health problems, including brain injuries,” he explained.
Individuals in these regions also maintained close social networks. Their relative geographic isolation helps sustain dense, long-lasting ties with family, friends, and neighbors. “This is essential for developing a sense of belonging: You belong to a community, and you have a role to play in it. Social interaction has numerous positive effects. They function as psychosocial protective factors and reduce the daily burden. Older people know that they can receive support when needed. This is crucial for emotion regulation. This rich social network prevents isolation, which is one of the main risk factors for cognitive decline and comorbidity in general,” he said.
Another shared psychological feature is the central role played by spirituality and rituals. Although sometimes religious, these practices may be cultural or communal in nature. For instance, on the Greek island of Ikaria in Greece, widely recognized as a Blue Zone, large-share meals remain a defining tradition.
“These customs’ structure lived time and anchor individuals in a collective temporality. This also reinforces a sense of existential coherence and helps to preserve social relationships. Moments of meditation, walking, or processions also reduce stress.” he said.
Practical Application
Concluding his talk, Deville turned to Belgium and highlighted an example of his grandmother, Alice. At age 96, she remains physically active and cognitively intact, and her daily life reflects many Blue Zone traits. She has raised nine children and has now anchored a large extended family. “She wants to be present at every meal, at every wedding, and at every birth. She has a strong sense of belonging to her family. All these interactions are meaningful to her,” he said.
Alice has lived her whole life in a small village near Namur that remained relatively isolated for many years. “The spirit of mutual support among neighbors is quite strong, which also contributes to a rich community life,” he said. She is also a person of faith, and this spirituality strengthens her sense of meaning and community.
Deville emphasized a simple message from his grandmother’s life: Engage in activities that bring joy and meaning, and, whenever possible, use them to build social relationships. “If you like reading, go to libraries. If you like playing sports, do so with people who share the same passion. If you prefer crafts, they participate in the group workshops. If you like movies, go to cinema. But do not force yourself to do things you do not enjoy under the pretext that it would be good for you,” he advised.
In one of these conversations about the end of her life, Alice offered a memorable line: “I don’t have time to die.” Deville said the remark is both humorous and poetic and captures what years of research on longevity and resilience aim to explain. This reflects her vitality and forward-looking perspective rooted in her daily activities, relationships, and pleasure. It also shows a strong sense of purpose; Alice remains engaged in her life with responsibilities, projects, and desires. Deville added that her humor and calm view of death indicate robust mental health: She recognizes the end without being defined by it.
This story was translated from MediQuality.
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