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Quick Digest of Today's Top News. AARP Top Tips for Navigating Life. Get Moving With Our Workout Series. You are now leaving AARP. org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Go to Series Main Page. Being healthy is important no matter what your age.

While genetics play a role, research shows your habits, behaviors and attitude can make a big difference. AARP Membership.

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine. Join Now. It has to become part of your lifestyle.

Aging well is more than just being physically healthy, notes Theresa A. Allison, a geriatrician and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

Having the support you need and engaging in your community are also important, she says. As you age, your risk of loneliness increases, and maintaining strong relationships becomes increasingly important.

One report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine found that more than one-third of adults 45 and older feel lonely, and a fourth of adults plus are socially isolated. A May advisory from the U. surgeon general called loneliness a public health crisis, noting that social isolation is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression and dementia.

Studies show people with strong social support are happier, healthier and live longer. One review of studies found that people with stronger social relationships increased their survival odds by 50 percent. None of us is an island, and we do need each other in different ways. Maintaining social ties is especially important as you transition into retirement, when you no longer have a built-in network of colleagues at your workplace.

Smart advice: If you live alone, reach out to at least one friend or family member every day. Research shows intergenerational relationships are particularly beneficial, Allison says. As a geriatrician who is also a music researcher, she notes that community centers and houses of worship often have choirs and other groups that offer an easy way to connect with people of all ages.

For more ideas, see 6 Ways Loneliness Can Harm Your Health — And How to Cut Your Risks. Recent research shows it can also elevate your mood, help stave off chronic illnesses such as diabetes, dementia and heart disease, and add years to your life.

The study also found that spending more time sitting increases your risk of death. Shadyab, who studies aging and longevity at the University of California, San Diego. Smart advice: Aim for 30 minutes of activity about five days a week, but keep in mind that even a few minutes of physical activity can make a difference.

Try to incorporate weight-bearing exercise such as strength training, as well as walking, hiking, climbing stairs, tennis, pickleball and dancing to help keep your bones strong.

To increase accountability and make an activity more fun, Powers suggests scheduling it with a friend. Privacy Policy. A slew of research shows that the Mediterranean diet is the gold standard when it comes to eating for health and longevity, says neuropsychologist Karen Miller, senior director of the Brain Wellness and Lifestyle Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, Calif.

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that switching to a Mediterranean diet from the typical Western diet can add years to your life — and the earlier you adopt it, the more benefit you gain. If you start eating the Mediterranean way at age 60, you can expect to live about eight years longer, the study found.

If you adopt the diet at age 80, the study found it still increases life expectancy on average by 3. Target Optical. Other studies show the Mediterranean diet protects your heart, lowers your risk of cancer and diabetes and slows cognitive decline. Smart advice: Focus on eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and legumes.

Use healthy fats like olive oil instead of butter or vegetable oil, and swap out beef for fish. For the biggest benefit, Miller suggests trying to get at least five servings of vegetables per day, in addition to two to three servings of fruit.

Mix some spinach into scrambled eggs, stuff some beans and tomatoes into a breakfast burrito or stack some asparagus spears on avocado toast. For example, a JAMA Network Open study of nearly 7, adults found that those who scored highest on a scale that measured "life purpose" were less likely to die over a four-year period compared with those who scored lower.

Researchers believe engaging in activities that matter to you may lower your stress level, reducing body inflammation that is linked to cardiovascular disease and other health problems.

To practice what she preaches, Allison, who is in her 50s, said she recently started playing the flute again and then joined a flute choir in San Francisco. So it pulls everything together. It can be an individual activity such as gardening, a social activity like joining your neighbor for a walk every day, volunteering or taking care of the people you love, she says.

Many meaningful activities offer an opportunity to build social connections, learn a new skill or serve the community — all of which are also linked to aging well. It also raises your risk for chronic health problems, including obesity, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Sleep gives your body time to remove toxins from your brain and repair damaged neural connections. Surveys show that as many as 50 percent of older adults struggle with sleep problems. Smart advice: If you have trouble sleeping, avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evenings, and limit screen time right before bed.

Keep your bedroom dark and cool. And try to wake up and go to bed at roughly the same time every night. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

Studies show people who are optimistic tend to live longer, happier and healthier lives than those who have a negative outlook. Batsis, associate professor in the division of geriatric medicine at the UNC School of Medicine.

I have others in late 80s who feel young. Having a positive outlook, having things to look forward to, really promotes wellbeing and quality of life. Having a positive attitude about aging has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia and increase your lifespan by about seven and a half years, Selig says.

Smart advice: You can cultivate optimism by challenging negative self-talk and making gratitude a daily practice, perhaps by keeping a gratitude journal. Volunteering in the community can also help, by making you feel connected and useful, giving you a sense of fulfillment and a more positive outlook.

To change your views on aging, take note of the older people in your life you admire, and pay attention to positive portrayals of older adults in the media, Selig suggests. Also, identify and challenge ageist stereotypes when you see them.

One study of 1, people found that those who were more conscientious were 22 percent less likely to experience cognitive impairment. Another showed a 35 percent reduced risk of early death. Smart advice: While some people are naturally more conscientious than others, you can cultivate the trait by being diligent about putting events on your calendar, setting reminders, breaking big goals into mini goals, and planning to arrive 10 minutes early for appointments.

Losing brainpower is not an inevitable part of aging. Find that hard to believe? Consider this May study that was published in The Journals of Gerontology : Adults ages 58 to 86 were each assigned to take three to five classes in subjects including Spanish, drawing and music composition for three months.

By the midpoint of the study, they had boosted their cognitive abilities to the level of adults who were 20 to 30 years younger. People who age well constantly learn new things and challenge their brains in order to stave off cognitive decline, experts say. That can mean taking a class at the community college, learning a new game such as chess or mah-jongg, or playing sudoku.

They also take steps to reduce stress, which can create inflammation that causes cellular damage to the body and brain. Smart advice: The Global Council on Brain Health has compiled evidence-based strategies to help prevent or delay cognitive decline.

Called the six pillars of brain health , the recommendations mirror many of the habits mentioned above, such as being social, engaging in regular physical activity, getting enough sleep and eating right. In fact, it turns out that many healthy behaviors that indicate someone is aging well are interconnected, Batsis says.

You can say the same about exercise, eating right and many of the other recommendations. Discover AARP Members Only Access. Already a Member? Why Friends Are Good for Your Health and Well-Being. See All. AARP Rewards. Learn, earn and redeem points for rewards with our free loyalty program.

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Don't fall for the myth that growing older automatically means you're not going to feel good anymore. It is true that aging involves physical changes, but it doesn't have to mean discomfort and disability.

While not all illness or pain is avoidable, many of the physical challenges associated with aging can be overcome or drastically mitigated by exercising, eating right, and taking care of yourself. And it's never too late to start!

No matter how old you are or how unhealthy you've been in the past, caring for your body has enormous benefits that will help you stay active, sharpen your memory, boost your immune system, manage health problems, and increase your energy.

In fact, adults who take up exercise later in life, for example, often show greater physical and mental improvements than their younger counterparts—because they aren't encumbered by the same sports injuries that many regular exercisers experience as they age.

Similarly, many older adults report feeling better than ever because they are making more of an effort to be healthy than they did when they were younger. A recent Swedish study found that exercise is the number one contributor to longevity, adding extra years to your life—even if you don't start exercising until your senior years.

But it's not just about adding years to your life, it's about adding life to your years. Exercise helps you maintain your strength and agility, increases vitality, improves sleep, gives your mental health a boost, and can even help diminish chronic pain. Exercise can also have a profound effect on the brain, helping prevent memory loss, cognitive decline, and dementia.

As you age, your relationship to food may change along with your body. A decreased metabolism, changes in taste and smell, and slower digestion may affect your appetite, the foods you can eat, and how your body processes food.

But now, more than ever, healthy eating is important to maintain your energy and health. Avoiding sugary foods and refined carbs and loading up on high-fiber fruits, vegetables, and whole grains instead will help you feel more energetic, while eating with others is a great way to stay in touch with friends.

Many adults complain of sleep problems as they age, including insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and frequent waking during the night. But getting older doesn't automatically bring sleep problems. Developing healthy sleep habits as you age can help you ensure you get enough quality sleep each night.

Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool, and your bed is comfortable. Consider using an adjustable bed to help improve your sleep position, alleviate pain, and reduce snoring.

Avoid artificial light from screens for at least one hour before bed, and increase your activity levels during the day. A soothing bedtime ritual, like taking a bath or playing music can help you wind down and get a good night's sleep.

There are many good reasons for keeping your brain as active as your body. Exercising, keeping your brain active, and maintaining creativity can actually help to prevent cognitive decline and memory problems.

The more active and social you are and the more you use and sharpen your brain, the more benefits you will get. This is especially true if your career no longer challenges you or if you've retired from work altogether.

Challenge your brain. For some people, challenging your brain could involve playing new games or sports. Other people may enjoy puzzles or trying out new cooking recipes.

Find something that you enjoy and challenge your brain by trying new variations or increasing how well you do an activity. If you like crosswords, move to a more challenging crossword series or try your hand at a new word game. If you like to cook, try a completely different type of food, or if you're a golfer, aim to lower your handicap.

Vary your habits. You don't have to work elaborate crosswords or puzzles to keep your memory sharp. Try to work in something new each day, whether it is taking a different route to work or the grocery store or brushing your teeth with a different hand.

Varying your habits can help to create new pathways in the brain. Take on a completely new subject. Taking on a new subject is a great way to continue to learn.

Have you always wanted to learn a different language? Learn new computer skills? Learn to play the piano? There are many inexpensive classes at community centers or community colleges that allow you to tackle new subjects.

Nutrition tips to boost energy levels and increase resistance to illness. Tips and exercises to sharpen your mind and boost brainpower. Tips to help you increase intimacy and enjoyment as you get older. Tips for overcoming insomnia and other age-related sleep problems.

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Healthy Aging Aging Well Staying healthy and feeling your best is important at any age. Copy Link Link copied! Download PDF. By Melinda Smith, M. and Monika White, Ph. The keys to healthy aging Aging well tip 1: Learn to cope with change Tip 2: Find meaning and joy Tip 3: Stay connected Tip 4: Get active and boost vitality Tip 5: Keep your mind sharp.

The keys to healthy aging As we grow older, we experience an increasing number of major life changes, including career transitions and retirement, children leaving home, the loss of loved ones, physical and health challenges—and even a loss of independence.

Fact: There are some diseases that become more common as we age. Myth: Memory loss is an inevitable part of aging. Fact: As you age, you may eventually notice you don't remember things as easily as in the past, or memories may start to take a little longer to retrieve.

Myth: You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Fact: One of the more damaging myths of aging is that after a certain age, you just won't be able to try anything new or contribute to things anymore. Speak to a Licensed Therapist BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more.

Take Assessment HelpGuide is user supported. Learn more. More Information Helpful links. Living Better, Living Longer - Taking steps now to help ensure a happier, healthier future. Harvard Medical School Special Health Report Aging and Health A to Z - List of articles on aging, including health problems.

Health in Aging Foundation Health Information - Covers many aspects of aging well, including sleep, eating well, exercise, falls, and alcohol abuse. National Institute on Aging. Ekelund, U. Joint associations of accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary time with all-cause mortality: A harmonised meta-analysis in more than 44 middle-aged and older individuals.

British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54 24 , — Geneen, L. Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: An overview of Cochrane Reviews.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2. Gomes-Osman, J. Exercise for cognitive brain health in aging: A systematic review for an evaluation of dose.

Neurology: Clinical Practice, 8 3 , — Leanos, S. The Impact of Learning Multiple Real-World Skills on Cognitive Abilities and Functional Independence in Healthy Older Adults. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 75 6 , — Miner, B.

Sleep in the Aging Population. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 12 1 , 31— Seidler, R. Older adults can learn to learn new motor skills. Behavioural Brain Research, 1 , — Social isolation, loneliness in older people pose health risks National Institute on Aging. Retrieved August 1, , from.

The Truth About Aging and Dementia. Healthy Aging Eating Well as You Age Nutrition tips to boost energy levels and increase resistance to illness 15 mins. Aging Issues Adjusting to Retirement How to cope with the stress and challenges 15 mins.

Healthy Aging How to Improve Your Memory Tips and exercises to sharpen your mind and boost brainpower 15 mins. Healthy Aging Better Sex as You Age Tips to help you increase intimacy and enjoyment as you get older 12 mins.

Healthy Aging Sleep and Aging Tips for overcoming insomnia and other age-related sleep problems 12 mins.

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A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Go to Series Main Page. Being healthy is important no matter what your age. While genetics play a role, research shows your habits, behaviors and attitude can make a big difference. AARP Membership. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.

Join Now. It has to become part of your lifestyle. Aging well is more than just being physically healthy, notes Theresa A. Allison, a geriatrician and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Having the support you need and engaging in your community are also important, she says.

As you age, your risk of loneliness increases, and maintaining strong relationships becomes increasingly important. One report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine found that more than one-third of adults 45 and older feel lonely, and a fourth of adults plus are socially isolated.

A May advisory from the U. surgeon general called loneliness a public health crisis, noting that social isolation is associated with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression and dementia.

Studies show people with strong social support are happier, healthier and live longer. One review of studies found that people with stronger social relationships increased their survival odds by 50 percent. None of us is an island, and we do need each other in different ways. Maintaining social ties is especially important as you transition into retirement, when you no longer have a built-in network of colleagues at your workplace.

Smart advice: If you live alone, reach out to at least one friend or family member every day. Research shows intergenerational relationships are particularly beneficial, Allison says. As a geriatrician who is also a music researcher, she notes that community centers and houses of worship often have choirs and other groups that offer an easy way to connect with people of all ages.

For more ideas, see 6 Ways Loneliness Can Harm Your Health — And How to Cut Your Risks. Recent research shows it can also elevate your mood, help stave off chronic illnesses such as diabetes, dementia and heart disease, and add years to your life. The study also found that spending more time sitting increases your risk of death.

Shadyab, who studies aging and longevity at the University of California, San Diego. Smart advice: Aim for 30 minutes of activity about five days a week, but keep in mind that even a few minutes of physical activity can make a difference.

Try to incorporate weight-bearing exercise such as strength training, as well as walking, hiking, climbing stairs, tennis, pickleball and dancing to help keep your bones strong.

To increase accountability and make an activity more fun, Powers suggests scheduling it with a friend. Privacy Policy. A slew of research shows that the Mediterranean diet is the gold standard when it comes to eating for health and longevity, says neuropsychologist Karen Miller, senior director of the Brain Wellness and Lifestyle Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, Calif.

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that switching to a Mediterranean diet from the typical Western diet can add years to your life — and the earlier you adopt it, the more benefit you gain. If you start eating the Mediterranean way at age 60, you can expect to live about eight years longer, the study found.

If you're overweight, losing pounds can reduce your urinary symptoms by 50 per cent. Don't smoke. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit.

Smoke-induced coughing can make bladder leakage worse. Memory loss is what frightens people most about aging. With age, you may have more trouble remembering the name of a friend or movie actor, or where you put your keys or parked your car, but as long as you remember eventually, it means you are still normal!

The good news is that there are many things you can do to improve your memory. A heart healthy diet might benefit your brain. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Too much alcohol can lead to confusion and memory loss. Stay mentally active. Mentally stimulating activities help keep your brain in shape and might keep memory loss at bay.

Do crossword puzzles. Take alternate routes when driving. Learn to play a musical instrument. Learn a new language. Write things down so you won't forget them. Exercise regularly. Avoid medications that dull your brain such as sleeping pills.

Sleeping pills and other sedating medications such as some antihistamines have been shown to increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 50 per cent, even if you only take them two times per week! Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress, which can contribute to memory loss.

With age, you might have difficulty focusing on objects that are close up. You might become more sensitive to glare and have trouble adapting to different levels of light. Aging also can affect your eye's lens, causing clouded vision cataracts. Schedule regular physical checkups. Follow your doctor's advice about glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and other corrective devices.

Make sure you have bright lights in your house to help you when you read. Take precautions: wear sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat when you're outdoors, and use earplugs when you're around loud machinery or other loud noises. Home Health More ». Healthy aging is a hot topic for baby boomers everywhere.

Whether you're concerned about weight gain, sex drive or chronic diseases, Dr. Danielle Martin shares healthy lifestyle advice to help you age gracefully. com It's never too late to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Bone Strength Your bones are continuously changing — new bone is made and old bone is broken down. What to do: Eat healthy. Myths and Facts About Aging Balance Problems As you age it is important to make sure that you incorporate balance exercises into your daily exercise routine. Ideally a healthy exercise routine might include 30 minutes of strength training two times per week, cardio three times per week and balance training two times per week What to do: A great exercise is Tai Chi.

Fall-Proof Your Home for Aging Loved Ones Bladder Control Loss of bladder control urinary incontinence affects one in two women over the age of 65 but it should never be considered a normal part of aging.

What to do: The easiest thing to do is reduce your intake of caffeinated beverages , because caffeine is a bladder irritant and makes you go to the bathroom. Memory Loss Memory loss is what frightens people most about aging. What to do: The good news is that there are many things you can do to improve your memory.

Trouble Sleeping? This Bedroom Could Design Could Help! Vision and Hearing Loss With age, you might have difficulty focusing on objects that are close up.