The secret to aging well: 8 tips to help you feel your best
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Aging well means tending to your body, mind, and spirit with care. Discover 8 mindful habits to bring more calm, energy, and confidence to every stage of your life.
With each passing year, you may start to feel changes happening in unexpected places — the way your knees ache after a long walk or a late night lingers a little longer the next morning. Aging can show up in these everyday moments long before you realize that that’s what it is. And you may want to know how you can make the most of these evolving years. For many people, the idea of “aging well” comes tangled with pressure to stay youthful, productive, or even unchanged, as if growing older must be something you manage perfectly.
But aging well doesn’t mean pretending you’re the same person you were at 25; rather, it means supporting your body, mind, and spirit so you can feel grounded and well through all the shifting seasons of your life. The habits you build in your 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond can strengthen your health, sharpen your mind, and deepen your sense of connection, setting you up for success with each passing year.
Let’s get into the importance of honoring your body as you age, why it matters, and how simple practices can help you feel more capable and at ease as the years unfold.
What does aging well mean?
Aging well means building a life that supports your ability to move, think, and feel as steadily as possible as the years pass. As you age, the process of tending to your physical health, caring for your emotional wellbeing, and staying connected to what gives your days meaning becomes more and more important.
Instead of holding yourself to the routines or expectations that served you when you were younger, aging well invites you to shape your days around what helps your body feel comfortable, your mind stay clear, and your relationships feel nourishing today.
For many people, aging well means having enough energy to enjoy the parts of life that matter, being able to participate in everyday activities without feeling depleted, and maintaining social connections that add to their lives. It’s less about striving for a certain outcome or appearance and more about creating a grounded life that evolves with you. One that feels sustainable, personal, and aligned with what you truly need at this stage.
What are the keys to aging well?
The keys to aging well are based around what helps you navigate this stage of life with clarity. They offer a practical framework for supporting your overall wellbeing without tying you to a rigid routine or a single definition of “healthy.”
1. Understand your body’s changing needs: Aging well starts with learning how your body shifts over time so you can support mobility, strength, and overall comfort in realistic ways.
2. Adjust your routines with intention: Your daily habits don’t need to look the same decade after decade. Allowing your routines to evolve helps you stay supported rather than stretched thin.
3. Choose consistency over intensity: Small, steady actions tend to be more effective than dramatic changes. A gentle, reliable approach gives your body and mind room to adapt.
4. Pay attention to your natural rhythms: Your energy, appetite, and focus may follow different patterns than before. Working with these rhythms helps your days feel more manageable.
5. Maintain reliable support systems: Having people and resources you can depend on helps you navigate practical challenges like transportation, caregiving, household tasks, and health needs without feeling overwhelmed.
6. Keep a sense of direction: Aging well includes having something to look forward to, whether it’s routines, projects, or personal goals that keep life feeling structured and engaging.
7. Use your experience as a guide: The knowledge you’ve gained over the years can help you make choices that match your current lifestyle, capacity, and priorities.
How can I support my mental health as I age?
Supporting your mental health as you age starts with being even more aware of your experiences. Stress can feel different than it once did, priorities may change, and certain feelings can grow more complex. These shifts are a natural response to transitions such as changing familial roles, health concerns, or caring for family members.
Aging often brings a mix of emotions — gratitude for what’s steady, grief for what’s changing, and curiosity about what’s ahead. Allowing yourself to feel this range without judgment strengthens emotional resilience and helps you navigate uncertainty more easily.
Related read: How to support the mental health of older adults in your life
How to age well: 8 tips to prioritize your wellbeing as you get older
Here are eight tips to help you find balance with your physical health, emotional wellbeing, mental engagement, and connection. By prioritizing them, you can move through your years with more steadiness and confidence.
1. Move in ways that feel good
Movement is one of the strongest foundations for aging well, especially when it feels supportive rather than like a punishment or something you do out of habit. Regular activity helps maintain muscle and bone strength, supports heart health, and keeps your joints moving comfortably.
A brisk walk after meals, a daily stretching routine, or low-impact options like swimming, water aerobics, or recumbent cycling can all support mobility without strain. Adjust them to your needs as you age, and these can evolve with you over the years.
💙 Tune into Mel Mah’s The Daily Move on the Calm app for a new mindful movement routine each day.
2. Nourish your body
A balanced, supportive way of eating is one of the most reliable tools for aging well, and it doesn’t require a strict or complicated plan. Instead of aiming for flawless meals, focus on ways of eating that nourish and energize your body.
Building meals around whole foods—like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, lean proteins, and healthy fats—supports brain health, heart health, and steady energy throughout the day. What matters most is building meals that nourish your body and avoiding the pressure to eat perfectly every day.
Related read: How mindful eating can boost your physical and mental health
3. Prioritize your sleep
Sleep becomes even more essential as you age, as it continues supporting mood, memory, inflammation, and your body’s ability to repair itself. A gentle nighttime routine can help your system ease into rest. Try dimming lights, taking a warm shower, or stepping away from screens 30–60 minutes before bed.
If you wake often, noting patterns around food, stress, caffeine, or nighttime worries can help you understand what’s interrupting your sleep.
Keeping consistent sleep and wake times, even on weekends, strengthens your internal clock and makes rest more predictable. Treating sleep as a cornerstone of your wellbeing can shift how focused, calm, and restored you feel each day.
4. Keep your mind engaged
Your brain thrives on variety and challenge, so keep using it! Even small shifts can support long-term cognitive health. Reading new genres, trying different word or number puzzles (like Sudoku), learning a skill, or exploring creative hobbies all help strengthen neural pathways and keep your mind flexible.
Even simple changes, like cooking a new recipe or taking a different walking route, offer fresh stimulation. Keeping your mind engaged is less about mastery and more about staying curious.
Related read: How to improve brain health: 10 science-backed tips to try today
5. Build your community
Supportive relationships are one of the strongest predictors of long-term health, especially as you age. Community can ease stress, protect cognitive function, and offer a sense of belonging during uncertain moments. You don’t need a large circle — just a few meaningful connections you trust. This might look like a weekly call with a friend, joining a walking group or book club, or staying involved in a community or religious space that feels uplifting.
Small practices, like regular coffee dates or shared meals, help maintain connection and can give all involved something to look forward to. Intergenerational connections through mentoring, volunteering, or spending time with younger relatives can be especially supportive. When you invest in relationships that nourish you, your emotional health and overall wellbeing grow stronger.
💙 Nurture the relationships in your life with Jay Shetty’s Mindful Friendships session on the Calm app.
6. Soften stress with mindfulness
Mindfulness can help regulate stress hormones, calm your nervous system, and build emotional resilience. Slow breathing, brief morning meditations, or an evening body scan can help you ease tension and set a steadier tone for your day.
If sitting still feels difficult, mindful walking or noticing simple sensations—the feel of your clothes, the sound of birds, warm water on your hands—can bring you back into the present moment. These small practices can help interrupt the stress cycle and create more space, clarity, and balance over time.
7. Keep those doctor appointments
Preventive care helps you stay informed and confident about your health. Regular checkups and screenings catch concerns early and give you a clearer sense of how your body is changing or if it even is right now.
Keeping a running list of questions or symptoms can make appointments more beneficial, and scheduling annual visits at the same time each year helps them become routine. Tracking shifts in your energy, sleep, appetite, or mood can also reveal patterns worth sharing.
8. Have purpose during your days
A sense of purpose can shape your days, giving you direction, motivation, and emotional steadiness. You might spend time on a hobby that grounds you, explore something new that sparks curiosity, or volunteer for a cause that aligns with your values. Purpose can also come from simple routines, like tending plants, taking a daily walk, or reading before bed.
Sharing your experience or teaching someone a skill can deepen connection and add a sense of contribution. When you make space for moments that feel fulfilling, aging becomes less about what you’re leaving behind and more about what you continue to build.
Aging well FAQs
What does it mean to age well?
Aging well means supporting your physical, emotional, and social wellbeing in ways that feel realistic for your life. Tend to what helps you feel steady, capable, and connected as you grow older. When you age well, you build routines that match your needs, honor your limits, and give you room to enjoy your days with more ease and confidence.
What are the keys to aging well?
The keys to aging well are more about mindset and perspective than strict rules. Staying open to change, paying attention to what supports you now, and choosing habits that feel sustainable all create a solid foundation.
It also helps to let go of outdated expectations, honor your lived experience, and give yourself the compassion and patience you deserve as your life evolves.
How can you tell if you’re aging well?
You can often tell you’re aging well when you feel reasonably grounded in your daily life. You may notice steady energy, manageable stress levels, and a sense of connection with the people who matter to you. You might also feel more comfortable adjusting your habits as your needs shift.
Aging well doesn’t mean you’ll never face challenges — it means you’ll feel supported enough to move through them with clarity and resilience.
How does meditation help with aging?
Meditation supports aging by helping regulate stress, strengthening attention, and improving emotional balance. When you practice regularly, even in short bursts, your nervous system becomes more adaptable, which can benefit sleep, focus, and overall wellbeing.
Meditation also encourages healthier responses to the frustrations and transitions that can come with getting older, making it easier to move through change with steadiness.
What are some healthy eating habits that will help me age well?
Healthy eating habits for aging well focus on balance, steadiness, and nourishment. Meals built around whole foods—like colorful vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats—provide the nutrients your body needs to support energy, memory, and heart health.
It can also help to eat regular meals, drink plenty of water, and choose snacks that keep your blood sugar stable.
How does social connection affect aging?
Social connection is one of the strongest predictors of wellbeing as you grow older. Supportive relationships help regulate stress, protect cognitive health, and give you a sense of belonging that makes life feel more meaningful.
Even small, steady interactions—like regular phone calls, shared hobbies, or friendly chats with neighbors—can boost mood and strengthen emotional resilience over time.
What are the best exercises for aging well?
The best exercises are the ones that help you maintain strength, mobility, balance, and cardiovascular health without overwhelming your body. Many people benefit from a blend of activities, such as:
Walking, which supports heart health and joint mobility
Strength training, which helps preserve muscle and bone
Gentle practices like yoga, Pilates, or tai chi for balance and flexibility
Low-impact options such as swimming or cycling
Can mindfulness really slow my aging?
Mindfulness doesn’t stop aging, but it can slow the effects of chronic stress on your body. When stress stays elevated for long periods, it can affect inflammation, sleep quality, and cognitive health.
Mindfulness can help regulate your stress response, supporting healthier aging across many systems of the body. Even a few minutes a day can help you feel calmer, clearer, and more grounded.
How can I start aging well today?
You can start aging well by choosing one small, sustainable step. This might be a short walk after lunch, a two-minute breathing practice, a balanced meal, or a call to someone who brings you comfort.
Starting small gives you momentum without overwhelming your routine. Over time, these tiny choices add up to a life that feels more grounded, energized, and aligned with what you need.
Calm your mind. Change your life.
Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.
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