I recently found myself singing along to the chorus of “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan.

Written as a lullaby for one of his sons, the song takes the form of an ancient prayer. Dylan’s verses directly address the child as “you” and lay out hopes for his future. The song’s poetic lyrics praise virtues such as strength and courage.

Such warm and fuzzy sentiments might seem out of keeping for the famously acerbic singer-songwriter. Not surprisingly, the girlfriend of one of his pals asked, “Are you getting mushy in your old age?”

Dylan worried about appearing too sentimental and so recorded a faster version of the song more in keeping with his rock-star image. Nevertheless, it’s the slower tempo that won the most accolades and, in my humble opinion, for good reason. Fans like me want time to mull over the words.

Whether you hear the song as an ode to parental love or a paean to eternal youth, it’s unquestionably a tune that digs deep into what comprises the best of the human spirit. No matter what phase of life we’re in, the lyrics delve into what it takes to meet life’s challenges with grace. As I listened, I began to wonder how all of us can stay forever young.

Fortunately, researchers are working to answer just that question. By studying a population of people in their 80s, 90s and beyond — people known as “super agers” — scientists are trying to explain why some seniors preserve their brainpower much better than others.

Coincidentally, super agers share many of the characteristics Dylan details in his song. In the first verse, for instance, he talks about wanting his son to help others and let others help him. Indeed, super agers tout the importance of close social connections.

According to the AARP, these dynamos greatly value friendship and family ties. Indeed, social isolation can be bad for our health. For example, a 2022 University of Michigan study found that memory declined fastest and furthest in those who felt lonely most often. Older adults who talked with others every day had less shrinkage in key areas of their brains.

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Famed sex educator Dr. Ruth Westheimer attributes her current status as a 95-year-old super ager to having a love of life… and talking. Conversation, she says, exercises her mind.

Fellow super ager, TV producer Norman Lear, who recently died at the age of 101, ascribed his longevity to not only the luck of the draw but also his practice of gratitude. Instead of yearning for more, he made a point of appreciating the gifts he already had.

Of course, lifestyle factors such as eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising contribute to healthy aging as does controlling blood sugar and blood pressure. And, if you guessed that actively managing stress also figures into staying young at heart, you’re right. Ditto for learning new things and embracing our passions. Whatever makes your soul sing boosts healthy aging.

Sometimes our minds age better than our bodies. For example, a 91-year-old woman qualified for a study of super agers despite a history of cardiac issues and other illnesses. This vibrant nonagenarian packs her weeks with gardening, online tai chi, weekly jam sessions with other musicians, art projects, Bible study, volunteering and moviemaking.

Humor, too, can help keep us sharp. During my grueling caregiving journey, Cousin Caryl, comforter extraordinaire, helped me laugh at my woes by calling me “the luckiest of the unlucky.” Her clever wordplay validated my plight and reminded me that I had lucked out by having an incredible support system.

While we might want a clear road map to the Fountain of Youth, researchers say it’s not that easy. Granted, higher education might help, but Nobel laureates still get Alzheimer’s.

However, they get it at lower rates, which is heartening. We can all take inspiration from the words of super agers such as Mr. Nobel Prize Laureate himself, Bob Dylan.

While many listeners lavish high praise on “Forever Young,” some critics have panned the lyrics for being cliché. We all get to decide for ourselves whether the word we hear strikes us as lyrical and elegant or schmaltzy and cliche. For me, the image of a ladder to the stars, for instance, evokes just the kind of dreamy pragmatism I relish.

But it’s the refrain that resonates most with me. It has the kind of timeless, ageless groove that gets my shoulders rolling and my hips swaying in perfect harmony. Roll-sway. Roll-sway. May you stay forever young.

Joan Axelrod-Contrada is a writer who lives in Florence and is working on a collection of essays, “Rock On: A Baby Boomer’s Playlist for Life after Loss.” Reach her at joanaxelrodcontrada@gmail.com.