There’s no right or wrong way to age, but most people put a lot of pressure on ageing gracefully. What this should mean for you is focusing on health, happiness, and vitality, and there are many signs that you’re doing it just right as the years go by.
You Have Radiant Skin
Healthy, hydrated skin is one of the biggest hallmarks of ageing well, which means if your complexion has a natural glow and feels supple, it’s a sign your body is producing enough collagen and you’re staying hydrated. Maintain this by drinking plenty of water, using SPF (even in cloudy British weather), and following a gentle skincare routine.
Sleep Comes Easy to You
Good-quality sleep is crucial for any age, but especially as you get older, therefore you know that if you’re waking up refreshed most mornings, it means your body is recovering and repairing efficiently. Keep this up by establishing a calming bedtime routine, reducing screen time, and ensuring your room is cosy and dark.
Your Joints Feel Strong
Feeling mobile and flexible as you get older signals healthy joints and muscles, while regular movement, like walking or yoga, can help keep your joints in tip-top shape.
Incorporate activities that suit your pace and include foods rich in omega-3s and calcium, like salmon or fortified plant milks, to maintain strength.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Keep up a good weight by choosing whole foods, enjoying smaller portions, and staying active with activities like cycling through the scenic UK countryside. A stable, healthy weight is a good indicator of balanced nutrition and an active lifestyle, so much so that if you’re not yo-yo dieting or feeling sluggish, it shows you’re on the right track.
You Laugh Often
Laughter isn’t just good for the soul—it’s great for your health too—therefore smiling and laughing regularly suggests low stress levels. Strengthen this by connecting with friends, watching your favourite comedies, or joining social clubs in your area for a regular dose of joy.
Stress is Easily Managed
When life’s challenges don’t leave you feeling overwhelmed, you’re likely handling stress in a healthy way, perhaps through practising mindfulness or journaling, which can help keep your stress levels in check. Prevent long-term wear on your body and mind by continuing to manage stress in a healthy way.
Your Mind Feels Sharp
Some of the best ways to keep your mind sharp are by engaging in activities like crossword puzzles, reading, or even learning something new—perhaps a second language or a cooking class—but you might already be ahead of the game and doing this anyway.
Retaining a clear memory and quick thinking as you age is a sign your brain is in great shape, and that you’ve been doing the right thing.
A Positive Attitude is Part of Your Everyday
A glass-half-full mindset is strongly linked to better ageing, too, when you find yourself looking on the bright side. This is a sign your mental health is flourishing, and you can improve it even more by practising gratitude daily and surrounding yourself with uplifting people.
You Stay Curious
An ongoing interest in the world around you keeps your mind young, too, so you’ll want to keep that up. Whether you’re visiting museums, travelling, or reading the latest novel, curiosity shows a zest for life, and you can continue this by exploring new hobbies.
Enjoying Regular Exercise
Consistent movement, whether it’s brisk walks in the park or swimming laps, is not only important as you get older, but the fact you can still comfortably do it is a great indicator your body is staying in shape as you age.
Staying active boosts cardiovascular health and strengthens muscles, and it’s a bonus if you choose activities you love.
You Have Close Relationships
Strong connections with family and friends are a hallmark of good emotional health, and they’re also vital later in life. Having and enjoying meaningful relationships suggests you’re nurturing your social wellbeing and deepening those bonds.
Feeling Confident in Your Skin
Have you always felt confident in your skin, even more so as you’ve gotten older? Feeling comfortable and happy in your own skin suggests you’ve prioritised self-acceptance, especially if you’ve stopped sweating the small stuff, and this is a sign of emotional maturity, too.
You Prioritise Your Health
Some great ways that you can prioritise your health as you age are seeing your GP for check-ups, maintaining healthy habits, and staying on top of vaccinations; if you’re doing this, these are all signs you’re committed to long-term wellbeing. Keep prioritising your health by staying informed about common conditions as you age, too.
A Balanced Diet
Meals full of colourful veg, lean proteins, and whole grains mean you’re fuelling your body well, and this is what you need to focus on in your later years. A balanced diet keeps energy levels high and supports healthy ageing, so if you’re always planning healthy meals and having a rainbow plate, you’re ageing well.
You Have a Sense of Purpose
Feeling purposeful, whether it’s through work, hobbies, or helping others, provides motivation and fulfilment, and it means you’re really prioritising your own life in the best way during these later years.
Stay connected to your purpose by pursuing meaningful goals and joining local organisations.
Having Healthy Hair
Strong, shiny hair often reflects overall wellness, too—does your hair feel full and vibrant? If so, you’re likely eating well and managing stress, while you can also maintain your healthy hair with regular trims, protective styling, and a nutrient-rich diet like one full of leafy greens.
Your Posture is Great
So many people neglect good posture as the years go by, and it’s a problem becoming more common thanks to desk jobs. Standing tall is a great sign of core strength and spinal health, so if your posture is upright and comfortable, it shows your body’s alignment is on point, which can be continued through yoga or Pilates.
Feeling Energised All Day
It’s one thing to wake up feeling energised, but if that energy lasts all day every day, you’re definitely doing something right. Being this full of vitality means you’re nourishing your body and moving regularly—as you should the older you get—so make sure to continue this by resting when needed, or even with habits like morning stretches.
Your Immune System Works Well
One final sign that you’re taking care of yourself in the best way as you age is if you rarely fall ill, as this is a sign of a robust immune system when you bounce back quickly from colds or other minor ailments—it’s a good indicator your body is functioning optimally. Support your immune health with regular exercise, a diet full of antioxidants, and time spent outdoors in fresh air.