Getting older is inevitable but that doesn’t mean you can’t age with grace. How we live in our bodies, dramatically influences how we age. We can care for them or we can use them and abuse them!
Unfortunately, life didn’t come with an instruction manual on how to best care for our aging bodies and it isn’t something taught to us in school. It is up to each of us individually to learn for ourselves and to figure out what works. I want to help you get started on the right track to aging gracefully with 10 helpful tips.
There is no question that our bodies do change over time, but the myths of aging have discouraged seniors from making healthy lifestyle changes because they feel it is too late and aging is inevitable. Most people believe that they are too old to exercise and that aging is a hopeless battle.
Here is the thing; yes, you CAN lose half of your muscle mass by the time you are 80, BUT if you are exercising then you won’t lose nearly that much. You can also gain muscle in your 80's, so you can continually improve. It isn’t too late to change your habits, increase your strength levels, and improve your flexibility and balance. The physical and mental decline that is associated with aging can't be completely prevented, but it can be slowed down significantly.
Aging doesn't have to be a struggle.
Aging doesn't have to be painful.
Aging doesn't have to be depressing.
You can age and still feel full of vitality. I'm sure you know at least one person in their 70's that has more vitality than someone in their 40's.
As our bodies age, they will naturally have different needs. We need different vitamins and supplements, more water, more sleep, more stretching etc. We can also use DNA testing to find out a lot of helpful information to guide us in eating the best foods and taking the best supplements for our specific genetics in an effort to prevent disease.
Any healthy lifestyle starts with listening and responding to our bodies. Building a customized wellness plan and setting a goal is a great way to hold yourself accountable for creating the life that you want, now and in the years to come.
Here are a few tips to help create your plan to age with ease:
1: Move Your Body: How we use our bodies tells it what is important and what is not.
For example, if we are not physically active and bearing weight in our daily activities, our bodies take the cue and don’t rebuild a strong bone structure, because they don't see it as necessary for our lifestyle.
Traditional exercise or the thought of a gym may make you run for the hills, but it may be exactly what the doctor ordered. Getting outside and enjoying nature is a great way to increase your stamina, lung capacity, joint health, and much more. Walking just 30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week, dramatically reduces your risk for common diseases. The great news is that 30 minutes doesn’t have to be all at once. Break it up into 10 or 15-minute segments, and the benefits are the same.
2: Stay Flexible: While exercise is important for overall health, adding in practices that increase mobility and flexibility, such as foam rolling or stretching, are important ways to reduce the risk of falls.
Annually, falls are reported by one-third of all people over the age of 65. Two-thirds of those who fall will do so again within six months. Falls are the leading cause of death from injury among people 65 and older. Approximately 3 million emergency room visits and 9,500 deaths are associated with falls in older Americans each year.
Falling can happen for a variety of reasons but it is generally caused by a decline in balance and flexibility. Having tight, stiff muscles makes it harder to quickly respond to being thrown off balance and this is what can make falls more severe. Flexibility helps you continue to have a very active lifestyle for as long as possible. The lack of mobility and strength is what diminishes your freedom as you age. Sitting down and standing up from the toilet is a freedom I'm sure you don't want to lose.
I have an online program, Strengthen & Stretch, that can help you get started or buy a copy of my book 10-minute Stretching.
3: Eat As Your Life Depends On It: Our bodies are designed for renewal. Every seven years, the human body essentially rebuilds itself, cell by cell. This remarkable process depends on the quality of the "building materials" we provide—what we eat, drink, and how we treat our bodies. Just as constructing a beautiful home requires high-quality resources and careful maintenance, so does supporting your body’s renewal and vitality.
The way we move, the foods we eat, and the supplements we take all influence how our bodies regenerate. As we age, our dietary needs may shift, and appetites may naturally decline, making supplements an important tool in maintaining optimal health. However, food remains the foundation. Think of your diet as the fuel in your tank: premium, high-octane choices will always support better performance and longevity compared to lower-quality options.
A plant-based diet is particularly powerful when it comes to aging and inflammation. Plant-based foods are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that combat oxidative stress and reduce chronic inflammation—two key drivers of aging and disease. Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds can help protect your cells, promote healthy skin, and improve energy levels while reducing your risk of conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and cognitive decline.
If you’re ready to take control of your health and harness the power of plant-based nutrition, my 28-Day Plant-Based Program is the perfect place to start. In this program, you’ll learn how to incorporate nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods into your diet, make simple, delicious meals, and give your body the tools it needs to thrive. It’s not just a meal plan—it’s a transformational step towards aging with vitality and ease.
Your body is constantly rebuilding itself—why not give it the very best materials to work with? The choices you make today will shape how you feel tomorrow, and the years to come. Let’s make them count!
4: Make Your Doctor Your Partner: If your current doctor is not someone who you feel comfortable disclosing information to or someone that listens and supports your health goals, find another doctor. As we age, we need to keep up with appropriate tests, and often, we have to be proactive advocates for our own health. You want someone in your corner who can equip you with a customized plan to manage your chronic illnesses and stay healthy! It's important you find someone you feel comfortable being open and honest with. Explore working with different types of doctors like naturopaths, osteopaths, and functional medicine doctors to make sure you have the best possible partner for your health and healing.
5: Manage Your Chronic Illnesses: Effectively managing chronic illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol is crucial for maintaining your quality of life as you age. These conditions don’t just impact your daily health—they can have long-term consequences that significantly affect your well-being. For instance, recent studies have revealed a strong link between diabetes and an increased risk of dementia, so much so that dementia is now often referred to as “Type 3 diabetes.” This connection highlights how blood sugar imbalances and insulin resistance can lead to cognitive decline, emphasizing the importance of managing your glucose levels and overall metabolic health.
All chronic illnesses can benefit from a proactive approach that includes proper nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle adjustments. Natural solutions such as a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet, regular physical activity, and stress management can support your body’s ability to heal and thrive. Addressing these root causes may help reduce reliance on medications and improve overall quality of life.
It’s also essential to recognize the profound role that emotions play in your health. Suppressed emotions—such as anger, fear, or grief—can be the root cause of many chronic illnesses, contributing to inflammation and disrupting your body’s natural balance. Chronic stress and unresolved emotional trauma can weaken your immune system, affect hormone regulation, and exacerbate existing conditions. By addressing these underlying emotional triggers through practices like therapy, journaling, mindfulness, or energy healing, you create space for both emotional and physical healing.
Managing chronic illnesses holistically means treating the whole person—not just the symptoms. By combining proper medical care with natural approaches, emotional health work, and nutrient-rich foods, you give yourself the best possible chance to age with vitality, clarity, and resilience.
6: It is Never Too Late: Regardless of where you are in the aging process, it is never too late to quit unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, or eating a poor diet—and it is never too late to replace them with habits that support your health and vitality. The benefits of a healthy lifestyle begin the moment you start making positive changes. You can still gain muscle, improve flexibility, and enhance your overall well-being well into your eighties. Your body is remarkably resilient and capable of transformation when given the right tools and support.
Just as important as physical habits is the mindset you bring to the process of aging. Your beliefs about what’s possible can shape your reality. If you approach aging with a sense of defeat, you may unconsciously limit your potential for growth and renewal. On the other hand, adopting a mindset of curiosity, gratitude, and possibility can unlock unexpected levels of vitality and joy. Shift your focus from what you feel you’ve lost to what you can gain—whether that’s more energy, better mobility, or a deeper sense of connection with your body and life. The way you think about aging has the power to influence how you experience it, making mindset one of the most critical components of a healthy lifestyle.
7: Communicate Your Goals: We are far more likely to achieve our health goals when we share them with others. Writing down your goals and outlining specific steps to reach them creates a roadmap for success, but sharing these goals with your doctor, loved ones, and friends adds an invaluable layer of encouragement and accountability. The positive energy and support from those who believe in you can help keep you motivated when challenges arise and reinforce your commitment to living a healthier life.
For even greater success, consider hiring a professional to guide and support you on this journey. I offer weekly or bi-weekly sessions designed to provide personalized guidance, practical tools, and consistent accountability. Whether you’re looking to improve your diet, establish a sustainable exercise routine, or address emotional or physical roadblocks, I’m here to help you stay focused and on track. Together, we’ll navigate challenges, celebrate progress, and ensure your goals remain achievable and aligned with your vision for aging gracefully and vibrantly.
Having a dedicated partner in your corner not only makes the process easier but also significantly increases your chances of long-term success. Let’s work together to create the healthiest, most empowered version of you!
8: Make It Doable: While our intentions always remain good, it is our behaviors that make lasting changes in our lives. Your customized health plan should be easy to follow, fun, and creative.
Consider making a checkup and tests calendar to remind yourself to check in with your body. Make exercise activities fun and throw in your hobbies to give yourself variety in the ways you stay active. Be creative in the ways that you work in your new healthy habits. For example, bring your walking shoes to the book club and have a walk and talk day. Take a yoga or kayaking class with a group of friends. Engage in travel or art museums that naturally include a lot of walking as you enjoy. Try to simply upgrade your current habits so these new healthy changes feel doable and not overwhelming.
9: Advance Directives: Getting our end-of-life affairs in order early in life is one of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves and our families. It eliminates the guesswork in difficult moments, reduces the emotional and logistical burden on loved ones, and ensures that our wishes are honored. Take the time to document your preferences for medical care, funeral arrangements, and other end-of-life decisions. Discuss these choices openly with your family so they know the role you’d like them to play should you be unable to make decisions. This preparation can provide peace of mind for everyone involved and even contribute to lower stress levels—a vital factor in maintaining long-term health, as stress is the root cause of more than 90% of diseases.
Today, we have more end-of-life options than ever before, allowing for deeply personal and meaningful ways to honor our legacy. Consider new possibilities, such as working with a death doula who can provide emotional and spiritual support during the dying process. Explore eco-friendly options like water cremation or having your ashes turned into a tree, symbolizing new life and connection to the earth. There are even ways to preserve and share your story—like a QR code on your grave that links to a favorite video or a collection of cherished memories. These innovations allow you to personalize your legacy, ensuring your values, personality, and love leave a lasting impression on those you care about. Planning these details in advance transforms a potentially difficult topic into an opportunity to create something beautiful and intentional for yourself and your loved ones.
10: Assess the Financial Impact: When we’re planning for the future, we always have to talk about money. It is often a foundation for our goals. Your long-term health plan should take a look at the funds needed to care for yourself and/or your spouse in the future.
The better you care for yourself, the more money you will save on healthcare costs later in life. A healthy lifestyle is the greatest investment you can make in your future and the biggest money saver. As you may already know, illness is very expensive in a wide variety of ways. We don't tend to value our health until it is gone.
I hope these ten tips will help you create a plan that will help you age with ease. Nobody wants to suffer or die a painful death. I think we would all like to go peacefully in our sleep at a nice old age! I do believe that is possible if you are willing to do the self-care necessary.
I had an interesting conversation with a client yesterday because he is in complete denial of his age. He feels young and doesn’t want to think about how old he actually is. Denial is not your friend when it comes to age! We have a million little choices we make on a daily basis that can bring us closer to health or illness. If we are mindful of our age and what happens during the aging process, then we can make better decisions on how to care for our bodies daily.
Are you living in denial or are you mindfully preparing? Leave a comment below and let me know where you are at with your aging journey!
Don’t delay any longer. It is time to start taking better care of your body today.
Download my Guide to Healthy Aging to learn simple tips to care for your body in each decade of life!
I help baby boomers learn to care for their bodies so they can age with ease. If you would like to slow down the aging process, get a custom wellness plan designed just for you! I think you will be amazed at how good you can feel.
For more blog posts about aging, I have a new series of what to expect in each decade of life! You can now read more about:
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