By Valerie Olson Bonner General Hospital

Whether you "age like a five wine", or go kicking and screaming into the golden years, there are some fringe benefits that go along with the aging process. The high-flying antics of the "Pepsi Generation" may have mellowed with age, but there are some benefits amidst the gray hair and the varied assortment of wrinkles.

Older smokers have better success at quitting their tobacco habits than their younger counterparts just because they've had more years attempting to quit. Statistics show that practice helps to make perfect. Even though habits have been firmly established, impending health problems become strong motivators for making lifestyle changes.

With age, perspiration becomes less smelly. The odor-causing apocrine glands become less productive with age. And, with all this sweeter-smelling sweat comes a greater dedication to exercise.

You're never too old to start working out. In fact, physical benefits can be achieved faster and people actually become fitter in their 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s than at any time in their lives. Now, more than ever, we have more older people competing in triathlons, marathons and senior sporting events.

Age can increase productivity because older people actually need fewer hours of sleep. Middle age can also mean increased health. In many cases, older people have said good-bye to many of their more youthful risky behaviors. With a healthier lifestyle, people ages 45 to 64 actually spend fewer sick days away from the job.

Your need for simplicity may have lessened your debt load and increased your personal joy. With age, you want to accumulate less stuff and have more time. Stress can become less stressful with time. Years of life experience bring a broader perspective to the grand scheme of things. Peace and contentment become more important than material gain and image.

With allergies, relief is in sight after age 60. Our bodies reach less strenuously to things that trigger hay fever symptoms. And if you haven't had allergies, you're not likely to develop them at a later age.

Your chances of getting killed in a car wreck or by homicide drop once you pass your mid-20's. The highest death rates from motor vehicle accidents occur from 15 to 24, and then gradually decrease until age 65, when all automobile-caused deaths increases. The good news is that there are 55 Alive Mature Driving Programs sponsored regularly by the American Association of Retired Persons. And, with this added driver education, insurance rates drop for many older drivers.

Traveling becomes less stressful with age. Now that you're not trying to entertain a backseat of kids, you're able to absorb the sights without putting out fights.

Economically, there are some great discounts with age on everything from travel packages to lower-cost restaurant meals. When you're older, you've spent more years getting to know your body. You know what's routine and what needs to be checked medically. You spend more time researching health issues, becoming a wiser health consumer. You'll ask more questions and be more decisive which means you're more likely to take charge of your own health.

You know that in order to feel and look better, you have to make a personal investment of doing those activities that add to your health. You can no longer rely on your youth to get you by. You may be gardening more and watching televisions less. You learn the art of relaxation and take more time just enjoying the view from the front porch. You've learned to stop and smell the roses and perhaps, to get to know a neighbor or two.

You may be like Grandma Moses and starting painting at age 75. Your creative juices never stop flowing and can even increase with age. You can pursue a hobby or volunteer for the sheer joy of giving to the community.

Sporting endeavors like golf, skiing and bicycling may improve as the years go by. Skill levels may sharpen, compensating for a gradual decline in strength, speed and stamina.

Compassion for other people is heightened because selflessness brings a greater joy than selfishness.

We can sit around and complain about our aging ailments, but getting older means we have more time to build on the important things and let the other stuff go.

We have the time to nurture friendships and family. We have the time to play with our grandkids, travel the country or become a master gardener. We may tire of "keeping up with the Joneses," and value having the time of our life at the prime of our life.