你有沒有覺得我們的爸爸媽媽上了年紀后脾氣比以前好多了？有沒有注意到和年輕人比起來，周圍的老人更開心、更快樂？人上了年紀確實積累了一定的生活智慧。但是人老了、脾氣變好了還有生理上的原因。

Studies by psychiatry professor show that our psychological defense mechanisms, ways of coping with difficult feelings, become stronger as we grow older. With age we really do cope better with life’s upsets. Actually a physical change in the brain may contribute to this mellowing process. Scientists have been studying a cluster of cells that could be called the brain’s “alarm system”, a center that is involved in arousing anxiety and fear. Around age 40, this system starts to shrink and lose function just as many of us are experiencing a reduction in anger, anxiety and impulsiveness. So here we can see that being old is also a good thing .Do not be afraid or complain about it any more!

（北京語言大學通訊員柴宇迪供稿 英語點津 Annabel 編輯）