Second Wind for Over 50s

Scuba diving, swimming with sharks and taking selfies

Many people in their 50’s, 60’s and beyond have discovered a new thirst for life. They are now financially secure and have the ability to experience some new adventures that were, perhaps, not available when they were younger due to money or time constraints. And, often times, as you get older your desire to experience new adventures is on the rise. Perhaps they are just trying to recapture their youth. More likely they have a new spirit of adventure. The old adage of ‘youth is wasted on the young’ was never more appropriate than now.

The following is an excerpt from an article by Eleanor Doughty in The Telegraph that discusses this phenomenon.

A new study reveals that after 50, we experience a ‘second wind’ of life, inspiring us to complete bigger and better challenges.

According to a new study, Britons experience a ‘second wind’ of life aged 54.

The study of 2,000 adults, conducted by Vauxhall, found that a real sense of YOLO – you only live once – is prominent during our 20s, specifically aged 24, but comes back for another round 30 years later.

It’s when we get to 50 that the mental ante is upped, and we begin to try out experiences we hadn’t dared to before. Over 50s are more likely to swim with sharks than willingly show signs of aging and slowing down.

Going scuba diving, taking selfies and signing up to social media are also amongst the activities that we take on as we grow in age, aiming to recapture our youth.

“Times have changed since the days of hitting 50 and feeling past it,” Denis Chick, communications director of Vauxhall Motors said.

“… our research shows a growing trend for those in their fifties, sixties and beyond becoming more adventurous than they were in their twenties.”

The This Girl Can campaign, which aims to get women and girls, of all shapes and sizes, active, has gained significant traction, and Vauxhall’s research has been developed into the ‘This Gran Can’ campaign.

The study also showed that eight in ten of the adults polled said they feel just as young now as they did when they were in their 20s. Over half said that they resent being thought of as being ‘past it’.

To read the entire article click here.