Beyond Wishful Thinking
Aging is one of the most difficult aspects of life to grow comfortable with—that’s why we’re so caught up in ideas like the Fountain of Youth. But aging doesn’t have to be scary, and feeling young isn’t all about retinol creams and facelifts. Here are 20 easy ways you can feel younger even as you age gracefully.
1. Smile
Despite studies showing that smiling actually makes you look older rather than younger, the sight of a beaming pair of pearly whites always draws to mind the innocence of childhood. With aging being associated with crabby dispositions, showing a smile is one of the easiest ways to show you’re still young at heart. Smiling lights up your face, highlighting those lines around your mouth that came from good times with friends.
2. Learn New Things
Learning shouldn’t stop when you leave the classroom. Not only will learning a new skill help your brain stay elastic, but it can also give you something exciting to look forward to, an experience that is invigorating in itself. Whether it’s learning a new language or picking up a new hobby, the best time to learn a new skill is today.
3. Exercise
Even young people can have creaky joints and health problems, but exercise helps your body from going stagnant. Something as small as taking a walk in nature and looking around at the world will get your blood pumping. Exercise can also spark creativity and release endorphins, which make you feel good.
4. Treat Your Inner Child
Growing up doesn’t mean growing bored. Nurturing your inner child can help you feel better connected to your past without dwelling on it. There’s no reason why you can’t have dessert first, jump in puddles, or play as an adult.
5. Eat A Healthy Diet
When a lot of people think of healthy food, they think of underwhelming green juices and egg whites. The truth is that healthy food doesn’t need to be a chore. By incorporating the major food groups into your diet, you have a better chance of living longer while feeling better about yourself.
6. Practice Good Sleep Hygiene
One of the easiest ways to feel young is to wake up in the morning with a pep in your step. Good sleep hygiene is all about setting yourself up for a successful night of rest. A good sleep hygiene routine can include blocking blue light exposure from electronics before bed, going to bed at a set time, and keeping a consistent nighttime routine.
7. Stretch
Regular stretching will keep your muscles and joints limber. If you have trouble balancing, stretching can also prevent nasty falls. Start small with a few daily stretches to attune your body before gradually working up to deeper stretches.
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8. Reduce Anxiety
We’re more prone to anxiety as we age, and not just about the relentless march of time either! Anxiety can make you feel weighed down, as though you’re stuck in a rut. Simple practices such as quiet time, meditation, and reading philosophy can help manage it.
9. Drink Enough Water
Not only does water reinforce collagen, which keeps your skin looking elastic and bouncy, but it can also make you feel better on the inside. Water cushions joints, maintains blood pressure, and regulates digestion. Dehydration can also lead to brain fog and memory problems, so drinking your recommended water for the day can help you stay ahead of the curve.
10. Be Adventurous
Life is meant to be lived, and adventures aren’t just for college kids who think they’re invincible. We don’t mean that you should take up skydiving or Evel Knievel motorcycle stunts (unless you really want to!), but a healthy dose of adventure will give you things to look forward to. Travel, spontaneity, and new experiences can make you feel rejuvenated.
11. Improve Your Posture
Nobody wants to walk around looking like a parenthesis. For people with a history of desk jobs or an influx of free time on their hands, poor posture can become second nature. Practicing good posture won’t just have your spine thanking you for the improvement; it can also help you appear younger to others.
12. Don’t Dwell On The Past
There’s a big difference between harmless nostalgia and dwelling on the past. Longing for the past—whether you’re reminiscing on your glory days or thinking about all the ways things could have been different—will keep you from enjoying the present. There is no going back; there is only going forward.
13. Retrace Your Steps
Going off of that last point, you can recall and engage with things that brought you joy in the past without letting nostalgia turn into depression. Returning to places and things that brought you joy as a young person can help you bring some of that past light into the present. So what if things may not be as you remember? You’re different too.
14. Find Joyful Movement
While we’ve already advised exercise, stretching, and good posture, it’s important to remember that movement doesn’t have to be clinical. You can dance to that old song you loved in the privacy of your bedroom. Incorporating skipping, spinning, and leaping into daily movement can bring joy into your life. The joy of having a body isn’t just that it takes you from place to place, but that it’s yours to use as you choose.
15. Recover From Trauma
The past isn’t always so rosy, and if you feel like you’re being weighed down by old wounds, then avoid just covering them up and ignoring them until they open. Talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and exposure therapy can all help you deal with trauma that may otherwise make your life feel like a dead end.
16. Stay Curious
The world is changing faster than ever, and the best way to feel like a part of it is to engage with it. Rather than grumbling about how things are different than they used to be, open yourself up to the possibility that you two are capable of change. Additionally, curiosity can grease the wheels of your brain and aid your cognitive function.
17. Find Beauty In Aging
Many people are scared of the physical realities of aging, whether it be hair loss, wrinkles, or decreased mobility. We aren’t denying that these things can be extremely upsetting, but we also think they should be praised as symbols of all you’ve been through. Find a way to embrace the new you.
18. Protect Your Boundaries
It’s understandable that family and friends want to take care of loved ones as they age, but all that TLC can turn into hovering if you don’t keep an eye out. Protecting boundaries can help you retain your autonomy. Making your safety and comfort a priority can help you reduce stress and prevent burnout.
19. Reconnect With Old Friends
Remember when your best friends made you laugh until you cried and your stomach felt like you just did sit-ups? There’s no reason why you should have to give that up. If you’re wondering what happened to an old friend, they’re just as likely to be wondering about you. It’s better to get no response than to spend the rest of your life wondering.
20. Remember That Age Is Just A Number
Some people feel old at 30, while others feel young at 70. Everyone approaches aging differently, and there is no set way you have to live your life. You’re only as old as you think you are, and you have more opportunities than ever.
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