Simple Tool to Measure Degree of Engagement in Life in Older Adults - How Do You Get Out of Bed in AM?

‘ScienceDaily (Oct. 12, 2009) — Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified a tool — the “Getting-Out-of-Bed (GoB) measure” — to assess motivation and life outlook in older adults. The study, which appears in the October issue of the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, shows that the tool has the potential to be an easy-to-use measure to bolster motivation and thus improve health behaviors and outcomes in the growing population of older adults. 

The demographics of aging in the United States continues to change dramatically. In 2006, 37 million Americans, 12 percent of the population were 65 years or older. By 2030, those 65 years and older are projected to number 71.5 million representing nearly 20 percent of the US population. Furthermore, between 1992 and 2004 average inflation-adjusted health care costs for older Americans increased from $8,644 to $13,052 and are expected to continue to rise considerably. According to the researchers, such numbers underscore the importance of understanding common diseases and health behaviors of older adults, because many conditions can be prevented and/or modified with behavioral interventions.

“Motivation and life outlook play an important part in an older adult’s ability to recover from illness or disabling events and to maintain and/or adopt health-promoting behaviors,” said lead author Kerri Clough-Gorr, DSc, MPH, from the Section of Geriatrics at BUSM.’

For full article, click here.

So how well do you get out of bed?

Do you spring out of bed, put both feet firmly on the ground and express gratitude for your health and well-being?

Or do you hit the snooze button ten times and grumble about having to get out from your warm covers?

This seems to be a powerful indicator of your motivation, engagement in life, and overall outlook on life. And the best part is, you can change how you get out of bed! As you learn to get out of bed with a more optimistic outlook, and more energy, odds are you will be more positively and passionately engaged in life. This simple change alone can reap tremendous benefits in every area of your life.

Wake up smiling!

John Schinnerer, Ph.D.

Positive Psychology Coach, Author, National Speaker

Danville, CA

This entry was posted on 14. October 2009 at 22:21 and is filed under National speakers, Gratitude, Energy psychology, Danville CA, Positive expectations, Sleep research, Employee engagement, Emotion & productivity, Hope, Resiliency, Life coach, Dr. John Schinnerer, Realistic optimism, Guide to Self, Happiness, The human brain, Emotional mind, Positive Psychology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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