It seems like as soon as your teen years and early 20s are out of the way, most people are just hanging around waiting to start receiving their state pension and to kick-star their knitting career.
Well, that’s according to Gen Z, who seem to think that we should all be on the scrap heap even though there is still plenty of life left to live.
A new study, which involved 2,000 adults, aimed to zero in on the clear generational differences between different cohorts.
Before we dive in, for those not in the know – Boomers are born between 1946-1964, Millennials between 1981-1996, and Gen Z between 1997-2012.
With a particular emphasis on the variations between Gen Z and Boomers, the research carried out by Wellsoon at Practice Plus Group looked at the distinctions between lifestyle choices, views on the world and everything in between.
It found that Boomers are the most active generation out of the lot of us, as they typically spend four more hours in the great outdoors than Gen Z and Millennials.
They are also the most likely to head off an adventure and travel the globe, as well as dedicating time to exercising.
The study also found that 56 percent of Boomers like to work out, whereas only 39 percent of 18 to 27-year-olds prioritise staying fit.
It really sounds like we could learn a thing or two from them, to be honest.
The study revealed what age Gen Z regard as ‘old’ (Getty stock images)
An admirable 68 percent of Boomers regard themselves as an active individual, but 37 percent said they were unable to exert themselves as much as they’d like due to health problems and chronic joint pains.
A whopping 80 percent of these lot said they only learned to appreciate their bodies when they hit 38, saying that they felt grateful for their physical wellbeing – as they should!
Even though Boomers seem to be putting Gen Z to shame, the younger generation clearly expect anyone older them to be weighing up their retirement home options rather than overtaking them on a run.
That’s because, according to the research, 12 to 27-year-olds consider people to be ‘old’ when they hit their late 50s.
Gen Z believe people in this age range are effectively elderly and enjoying their retirement.
The study found that 20 percent of Gen Z reckon those in their late 50s spend their days sitting in an armchair, while 16 percent think they are just ‘pottering’ around.
So by Gen Z’s standards, Adam Sandler, Mike Tyson, Gordon Ramsay, Salma Hayek, Halle Berry and Helena Bonham Carter are all past their prime at the age of 57.
It seems they reckon you’re past your prime when you hit your late 50s (Getty stock images)
The good news is, those ever-optimistic Boomers believe that 60 is the new 40 – as two thirds of those involved in the study said they felt younger than they were, while one in five said they felt up to 20 years younger than their age.
A fifth simply said they were having the time of their lives…which is surely what we’re all aspiring for, right?
A spokesperson from Wellsoon at Practice Plus Group, which commissioned the study, said: “Older generations are extremely active, and many older people are more active than some of their younger friends and family members – with almost half of younger people saying being too busy with work and too tired held them back from being more active.
“Older people are getting the most out of retirement and have reached an age where they’re comfortable in their own skin and appreciate their bodies and their health.
“Of all the generations, it was those aged 79 and older who most loved to have fun with friends.
“They aren’t willing to accept that joint pain is something you have to put up with just because you’re ‘old’- they are going to see it as a bump in the road to be overcome so they can enjoy many more happy and active years.”