New research explains the secret to youthful vitality.
Although the experts - the nation’s 7-year-olds - are not always clear on what vitality is, they are certain what you need to do to feel happier and younger. Tell jokes more often, get more hugs from your kids and also do more dancing and singing.
And if vitality was a colour? "It would be pink," declares one of the respondents (pictured).
The study was conducted as part of the Live 7 initiative by Vaalia Probiotic Yoghurt to encourage all Australians to recapture the vitality of their youth. The children who participated in the study were asked their thoughts on a range of topics including what adults need to do to feel happier and more youthful, what gives them their spark and energy and what age is considered old.
According to almost a quarter (22%) of these seven year old experts, old age strikes the day you turn 18 with telltale signs of adulthood including being tired all the time (52%), watching the news on TV (41%) and becoming bossy (36%).
When asked what’s so great about being 7 years old, the overwhelming response was play-time with more than seven-in-ten (72%) nominating this above all else, closely followed by friends and toys (67%).
More than three quarters (77%) of Australian 7-year-olds believe their boundless energy and vitality comes from the food they eat. Half (50%) think it comes from drinking water, while 45% think their energy comes from hugs from their mum and dad.
“Adults get busy. And they work all the time. They definitely need to have more fun. I know my mum feels happier when she gives me hugs so I think all mums should hug their kids more if they want to feel happier and younger,” says expert Frankie Kogan, from Sydney’s Dover Heights.
Some of the children also showed they understood that not everything goes to plan.
"An adult is someone who works, they have a job. Or maybe not."
The 7-year-olds selected to participate in the study followed recent findings from Galaxy Research and psychology expert Dr Justin Coulson which pinpointed 7 years as the age where children exhibit the most boundless energy and enthusiasm for life.
To nominate what you would bring back from when you were 7 to help raise awareness for the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, visit vaalialive7.com.au.
Check out what the kids had to say here:
__small.png)
