It is a common belief that there is a decline of happiness and contentment in the old age. This belief is found to be more prevalent among the young people who associate old age with gloominess and end of fun and enjoyment.A new aspect associated with this belief among the younger people took a new turn, when Dr John Garry from ‘Queen’s University’ decided to look at the relationship which could be between this attitude to happiness in old age and the health trends followed by the young people.

He conducted a study at ‘Queen’s University’, Belfast, and the study being sponsored by ‘Changing Ageing Partnership (CAP)’. He says that growing old can be an equally happy phase of life, which many of us are simply not aware of due to certain misconceptions associated with the old age.

This misconception has lead to a common belief among the young people that life is miserable in the old age and as they grow older and older, they would loose all the pleasures of life. As a result, a very risky behavior can be observed among them as they seem to ignore the importance of preserving their health for the old age.

Dr. Garry said that young people in an urge to enjoy to the fullest often behave in certain ways which could be detrimental and damaging to their future health. They indulge in activities like over consumption of alcohol, smoking, poor diet and lack of regular exercise. Avoidance of including fruits and vegetables in the diet and a regular fitness regime leads to an unfit body and invites occurrence of various diseases in the old age. Dr. Garry decided to see if this risky behavior is an outcome of the prevalent misconception among the young people in relationship to the happiness in old age.

The study found that the young people tend to associate the old age to absence of happiness whereas the old people have been found enjoying and happy. The researchers found a direct relationship lying between this popular belief and over indulgence in drinking among the young men. They find no reason in maintaining their health for the old age.

By correcting this popular misconception among the young people, they can be stopped from spoiling their health by over consumption of alcohol. The importance to protect the health from deteriorating due to these habits should be encouraged among them. This study aims to provide a new way to address this concern. If they look after their health in young age, they can expect a happy and contented old age without the absence of major ailments or handicaps.

Professor Colin Harvey, Head of ‘Queen’s School of Law’ sees this research to play a contributory role in developing positive outlook towards older people as well as the process of ageing. Young group would be surely benefited by these findings.