The Art of Aging Gracefully: 18 Ways To Maintain a Youthful Glow

Aging gracefully balances the delicate emotions surrounding growing old. We’re happy to gain the wisdom of age but miss our earlier days’ youthful energy and lively appearance. 

Here are the best tips for aging gracefully to enjoy the best of both. 

Stop Following Trends

trendy woman dressed in blue wearing blue shaded sunglasses and making a duck fave towards the camera
Photo Credit: Elena Kharichkina via Shutterstock.com.

Trends are for the young. Avoid the latest styles and fashions and stick with styles that match your vibe. You’ll feel more confident in your own skin if you wear what you like. 

Develop a Great Skin Care Routine

A man rubbing skin care lotion under his eye.
Photo Credit: Cast Of Thousands via Shutterstock.com.

Proper skincare is essential to maintaining a healthy glow as you age. Wash your face regularly and nourish your skin with a moisturizing cream. 

Speak to a dermatologist if you struggle to develop a skincare routine that works. 

Try New Things

Older couple outside waving goodbye.
Photo Credit: Kzenon via Shutterstuck.com.

Your favorite clothing from your twenties may not be the best fit as you approach your forties. Adapting helps you find new styles that fit the new, improved you. 

Experiment with new colors, styles, haircuts, and makeup to create the aesthetic you want in every stage of life.  

Get Regular Check-Ups

Potrait of female doctor smiling for camera
Photo Credit: Gorodenkoff via Shutterstock.com.

Find a primary physician and see her regularly. Annual checkups will help you uncover any hidden health issues and allow you to tackle small issues before they morph into massive life-altering conditions. 

Play Brain Games

Woman holding a gaming controller and thinking.
Photo Credit: paffy via Shutterstock.com.

As we age, our minds start to slip. However, we can keep our brains sharp by exercising them. Play brain games that help with memorization, word recall, or critical thinking. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, Trivia, and other games offer a fun way to work your brain and keep it sharp. 

Drink More Water

water pouring into a glass
Photo Credit: Alter-ego via Shutterstock.com.

Most people don’t get the reccomended amount 9-13 cups of water per day, and even a 2% deficit can cause problems like fatigue and confusion. 

Staying hydrated remains vital as we age, and older people may struggle to recognize signs of thirst. 

Understand the Science

Young female doctor caring for an older female patient.
Photo Credit: fizkes via Shutterstock.com.

As you age, your body changes. Menopause is no longer a scary shadow lurking in a future corner; it’s fast approaching with its less-discussed cousin, perimenopause (the stage before menopause). 

Learn the signs and symptoms of both. Understanding the changes in your body will help you find tools and resources so you can work with your body rather than against it. 

Stay Young at Heart

An older couple plays in the grass in a park.
Older couple, fun, park, work out, grass, sitting

Aging doesn’t mean we need to put away all our childhood joys. In fact, the older you get, the more you come to appreciate the things you cherished in your youth. 

Reclaim that by playing outside, exploring your neighborhood, and letting yourself embrace the potential in each moment. 

Pay Attention to Your Neck and Hands

A senior woman in her fifties toughing her face with her hand like she just moisturized.
Photo Credit: Ground Picture via Shutterstock.com.

Most women focus on their face but do themselves a disservice by neglecting other parts that age. Slather your neck and hands in sunscreen and moisturizer to stave off the old crone look for as long as possible. 

Strength Training

woman working out at a gym by lifting free weights
Photo Credit: Bojan Milinkov via Shutterstock.com.

Women often focus on cardio at the gym, ignoring crucial strength training. Add free weights to your routine to improve posture and maintain muscle mass. 

Prioritize Sleep

Happy woman sleeping in a comfy bed.
Photo Credit: Olena Yakobchuk via Shutterstock.com.

People underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep. Sleep is healing. It nurtures your brain so you’re refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead. 

Getting enough sleep is crucial at any age, but especially vital as we age. 

Move More

A man sitting on outdoor steps drinking from a bottle after a work out.
Photo Credit: Ivanko80 via Shutterstock.com.

Keep your body active. You don’t need to do a complete workout, but that sedentary lifestyle will catch up to you sooner rather than later. 

Schedule daily walks, swim, get a stand-up desk, and find other ways to keep moving. 

Keep “With It”

trendy gen Z teenager on a pink background
Photo Credit: Dan Rentea via Shutterstock.com.

Grandpa Simpson waxed poetic about this, “I used to be with ‘it,’ but then they changed what ‘it’ was. Now what I’m with isn’t ‘it’ anymore, and what’s ‘it’ seems weird and scary. And it will happen to you!” he warned. 

But it doesn’t have to. Keep abreast of current trends. Tune in to watch what the young people are watching. Stay informed about the world around you. You don’t have to enjoy every aspect, but knowing what’s going on is crucial to mental sharpness. 

Invest in Hobbies

woman working on a cheap hobby, like making jewelry at home, to represent cheap hobbies
Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images via Shutterstock.com.

Make the things you enjoy a priority. People often get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of their chores and responsibilities that they become robots, incapable of even remembering the things they once enjoyed. 

Don’t let this happen to you. Invest in your hobbies and interests throughout your life, and prioritize them as you get older. 

Socialize

Group of friends hanging out at the beach.
Photo Credit: MakanaCreative via Shutterstock.com.

Humans are social creatures. We need networks and connections. Nurture your friendships. Join communities to make new friends. Make socialization a priority. 

Learn New Things

Older woman learning a new skill at a computer with a younger teacher
Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images via Shutterstock.com.

You can keep your brain active by constantly learning new things.

Become a lifelong learner by auditing college classes, enrolling in online certification programs, or reading books on the latest advancements in your favorite fields.  

Be Kind To Yourself

A content woman hugging herself
Photo Credit: Roman Samborskyi via Shutterstock.com.

Love yourself and all the scars of aging. They made you who you are. Embrace this stage of your life and all the changes that come with it. 

Own It

Older couple holding hands on the porch.
Photo Credit: Jamie Hooper via Shutterstock.com.

Society often punishes women for aging. Older women become invisible in a culture that only values a woman for her ability to reproduce. 

Don’t let the script fool you into thinking there’s something wrong with you. There’s no shame in aging like a normal human being. 

Develop a Great Routine

happy woman after a shower holding a cup to represent morning routine activities
Photo Credit: Claudia K via Shutterstock.com.

Start your day off right! Here are 23 Morning Routine Ideas to Implement for a Great Start To Your Day

Savor Each Moment

sand running through an hourglass to represent quotes about time.
Photo Credit: Min C. Chiu via Shutterstock.com.

They often say time flies, and that’s true. We’re often so busy we don’t even notice the days and years slipping away. 

Yes Time Flies – But Here’s How To Savor Every Moment

Author: Melanie Allen

Title: Journalist

Expertise: Pursuing Your Passions, Travel, Wellness, Hobbies, Finance, Gaming, Happiness

Melanie Allen is an American journalist and happiness expert. She has bylines on MSN, the AP News Wire, Wealth of Geeks, Media Decision, and numerous media outlets across the nation and is a certified happiness life coach. She covers a wide range of topics centered around self-actualization and the quest for a fulfilling life.