"Unsurprisingly, given he lived at a time when dentures were made out of wood and surgery was done without anesthesia, Franklin can't teach us anything about the latest aging breakthroughs. But he can remind us of a fundamental truth that's thoroughly backed up by modern science, but still frequently forgotten: Staying useful is as important to aging well as any fancy new drug, fitness routine, or diet plan."
"Franklin "invented retirement for working-class people," Emanuel insists. "He made enough as a printer that he could retire at 42, and he said, 'I'm going to live a life of leisure.'" That means everything that followed the ending of Franklin's career as a printer, including much of his work helping to found the University of Pennsylvania and the United States, were technically retirement hobbies."
Ben Franklin reached age 84 and remained mentally competent long after the average lifespan was under 40. He continued inventing and contributing well into old age, creating practical solutions like bifocals and supporting major civic institutions. Franklin retired from his printing business at 42 but treated retirement as an opportunity for meaningful projects rather than idle rest. Continued engagement in useful, purposeful activities provided structure, creativity, and contribution throughout his later life. Maintaining usefulness and purposeful pursuits supports longevity, mental vitality, and healthy aging alongside medical and lifestyle measures.
Read at Fast Company
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]