Science Says Aging Can Make You Happier | Laura Carstensen

The science of aging reveals a surprising truth: many people become happier as they get older.

In this episode of Midlife Chrysalis, Chip Conley sits down with Laura Carstensen, psychologist, longevity expert, and founder of the Stanford Center on Longevity, to explore the science of aging, happiness, and living longer.

Key insights from this conversation:

• Why older adults are often happier than younger people
• How aging changes the brain and increases our focus on positive experiences
• Why the search for immortality may actually make life less meaningful
• How longer lifespans are reshaping work, retirement, and society
• Why many of today's social norms were designed for lives much shorter than our own

This conversation offers a fresh perspective on aging, purpose, happiness, and what it means to thrive in a longer life.

Watch now.

Timestamps:

(03:25) Laura’s Life-Changing Accident at 21

(07:01) Recovery and Lessons from Older Women

(12:17) The Theory of Socio-Emotional Selectivity

(18:21) Why Time Gives Life Meaning

(19:30) The Positivity Effect and Aging

(24:53) The Stanford Center on Longevity

(25:58) The New Map of Life

(33:21) Building a Society for Longer Lives

(34:07) Financial Security in a 100-Year Life

(36:57) Rethinking Work and Retirement

(38:07) Health Span vs Life Span

(39:55) Will People Live Much Longer?

(42:22) Laura’s Life Philosophy

(43:36) Don’t Forget to Look at the Sky

(45:19) Final Thoughts on Aging and Longevity

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