It's probably a good thing Boomers couldn't doom-scroll back in the day because the news was a rollercoaster then, too."Boomers were exposed to societal upheaval through events like the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement and the Cold War, which forced them to grapple with uncertainty, loss and moral complexity at a young age," shares Dr. Holly Schiff, Psy.D., a psychologist. "They were able to bounce back from disillusionment and hold nuance, which are both hallmarks of psychological strength."Related: If You Were Called These 9 Words as a Child, You Were Likely Raised by Emotionally Immature Parents
2. Household responsibilities created a sense of purpose
Boomers couldn't type a query into Google or ChatGPT."Boomers had to learn and problem-solve without the internet," Dr. Schiff says. "They would turn to books, libraries or knowledgeable adults in order to answer questions they had."Dr. Saidi wants to double-click on the library point."Boomers had to learn how to gather, synthesize and retain information [through]... libraries and analog learning," she explains. "Research back then was not just one click away."Related: 7 Signs You're Thriving in Your 50s—Even if It Doesn't Feel Like It
4. Outdoor, unsupervised play
It's not just that Boomers enjoyed unstructured outdoor play—it's the type of structures (and playgrounds) they accessed. Boomers didn't play on the playgrounds of today."Boomers grew up with metal slides, monkey bars and few safety rules," Dr. Lira de la Rosa explains. "While not always safe, this environment helped them learn how to handle falls, take risks and figure out what felt safe for them."Related: 7 Things Empty Nesters Wish They Said Sooner to Their Kids, Therapists Reveal
6. Lack of on-demand services
These days, the entertainment industry is adapting to the reality that we often use multiple streams at once (AKA scrolling TikTok while "watching" a movie). Boomers were often lucky to get to watch a little TV each week—and it wasn't HD."Having fewer digital distractions led to increased boredom tolerance, which often sparked imagination, creativity and resourcefulness," Dr. Saidi says. "Without having 24/7 internet access or screen time, they had to entertain themselves."Related: If You Feel Lonely Even Around People You Love, Psychologists Say To Ditch These 16 Habits
8. Face-to-face communication
What Psychologists Want Baby Boomers To Know
Remember, there's a difference between "resilience" and "martyring yourself." "Many Boomers grew up with the idea that you should keep your problems to yourself or 'just deal with it,'" Dr. Lira de la Rosa says. "However, seeking support is not a failure."In fact, he explains that asking for help is a sign of strength."Whether it’s turning to a friend, partner, support group or therapist, reaching out is often the first step toward feeling better," he points out.Related: 7 Ways To Stay Close With Adult Children Without Being Overbearing
2. Emotions are not a weakness—they are part of being human
3. It's never too late to challenge old beliefs that no longer serve you
It's OK to move on from old expectations. "Norms from childhood may have helped you survive or succeed in the past, but they might not fit your life now," Dr. Lira de la Rosa says.Think an internal monologue that includes things like, "I have to do it all myself," or "Therapy is only for people who are really struggling.""Questioning those ideas doesn’t mean you’re betraying your values," Dr. Lira de la Rosa continues. "Rather, it means you’re growing. Letting go of what no longer helps you creates space for healthier coping and more meaningful connections."
Related: Grandparents Who Make the Biggest Impact on Their Grandkids Usually Do These 10 Things, Psychologists Say
Sources:
Dr. Crystal Saidi, Psy.D., a psychologist with ThriveworksDr. Holly Schiff, Psy.D., a psychologistDr. Ernesto Lira de la Rosa, Ph.D., a psychologist and Hope for Depression Research Foundation media advisor Read More Details
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