Which age group has the most energy?

Mother's Day is most commonly celebrated on the second Sunday of May. This year, Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 10th. (Source: Lao Dong Newspaper)

As for us, Mom's children, it's usually past six o'clock, after snoozing the alarm several times, before we hastily send a heart emoji and rush off to work.

Looking at those vibrant early morning messages, I wonder, ultimately, which age group has more energy? Youth with its countless plans? Or retirement age, but still waking up before dawn? If you only look at a packed work schedule, the answer might lean towards the younger generation. However, upon closer reflection, that's not necessarily true.

A study conducted by Professor Tyler VanderWeele's team in collaboration with Baylor and Gallup shows that today's younger generation is less happy than their parents.

The curve of happiness with age, often likened to a U-shape, is being… flattened. Many young people are tired and stressed, while those over 60 feel they “still have so much to do.”

It's not difficult to see that enduring energy in real life. Mrs. Nguyen Thi Viet Dung (over 80 years old, Quang Ninh) often wakes up at four in the morning, runs 7-10 km, and consistently conquers marathon races. And "the knitting fairy" Nguyen Thi Trong (over 90 years old, Hanoi ) continues to diligently knit thousands of sweaters for children in mountainous regions for many years.

Looking at Japan, we see that more than half of the population aged 65-69, over a third in the 70-74 age group, and over a tenth in the over-75 age group are still working. These figures from Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications demonstrate that old age can still be a period of active contribution, provided one's health is good.

In many Vietnamese families, it's not uncommon to see grandparents over 70 years old still caring for grandchildren, cooking, gardening, and participating in arts and sports clubs. However, these stories are rarely told, leading us to assume that "the elderly should rest."

If the media only portrays the elderly as individuals needing care, it will obscure the image of many older people who are still full of energy, both physically and mentally.

Of course, respecting inspiring energy doesn't mean pushing older adults into a new routine. The important thing is that families and society create an environment where older adults can choose their own active lifestyles. Some may want to continue working, others may enjoy volunteering, exercising, reading, or traveling with peers.

From a policy perspective, a nation that is age-friendly is not just about a few wellness parks and village cultural programs, but also about accessible transportation, digital skills classes, and programs that help older adults identify misinformation and avoid tech scams – all of which are increasingly targeting this age group.

Returning to my mother's message, it turns out that the person with more energy in the family is sometimes the one over 60.

Mom wakes up before dawn, does some light exercise, sends greetings to the family group, and tends to the garden. Meanwhile, we stay up late with our phones and computers, waking up sluggish and responding with a few emojis.

If older generations still have enough energy to enjoy life and care for their grandchildren every morning, the next generation's job is to ensure that this energy doesn't go to waste.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tuoi-nao-nhieu-nang-luong-390065.html