7 Underrated Habits Of People Who Feel Decades Younger After Turning 50
Dean Drobot | CanvaAre you ever surprised when you notice your wrinkles? Do you wonder why you feel so much younger than you look? For me, I imagine that if I consistently used moisturizer and all the recommended beauty aids, I'd be happier with the view in my mirror. Feeling younger after 50 has little to do with what you put on your face and everything to do with how you choose to live.
The people who genuinely seem to defy their age are not the ones with the most elaborate skincare routines. They are the ones who never stopped being curious, never stopped saying yes, and never stopped showing up for the parts of life that actually make them feel alive.
Here are 7 underrated habits of people who feel decades younger after turning 50:
Habit #1: Take stock of what you still do that others don't
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For me, that would include requesting and dancing to Mony Mony at the West Seattle Senior Center. I truly felt as young as I did when I danced to rock and roll in the '60's. My salt and pepper hair didn't disqualify me at all from being full of life.
When there are summer concerts in the park, if there are no partners, or if I ask 3 or 4 guys and no one joins me, I am content to dance to Mony Mony,Pretty Woman, or Louie Louie by myself.
A 2023 study in BMC Geriatrics found that dance therapy improved cognitive function, memory, executive function, and mental health in adults 55 and older across nearly a thousand participants. Whether you are on a dance floor or just moving to music in your kitchen, your body and brain are both getting something most people quietly stop giving themselves after a certain age.
Maybe your youthful behaviors include mini skirts, bikinis, or traveling all over on your own, or many other activities you feel totally at home with. Every time you notice another thing you do that's usually associated with younger women or men, add it to your list so you see (and celebrate) that you're still young at heart.
Habit #2: Say yes to things that spark your curiosity
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Keep your mind and heart open. Recently, a friend and I went to a new bar in my neighborhood for a bingo night. Meetup Groups are another avenue for interacting with new people. I've gone to book discussions, philosophy debates, travel groups, etc. If you want to explore any topic, you can start a meetup group or a listserv.
Psychologist Dr. Judith Tutin writes about aging happily and makes the point that the people who keep thriving are the ones who "continue to challenge themselves despite aches, pains, and having less energy." Saying yes to something new is one of the most consistently backed things you can do to protect your well-being as you get older.
Habit #3: Treat your senses to something new
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Whether it's an unfamiliar dish, a restaurant you've never tried, or a sight you've never seen, try something new. If you've been curious about Thai or Vietnamese or Ethiopian or a dozen other countries' foods, make a habit of trying a new taste at least every second or third time you eat out. Or go to an ethnic grocery store and pick meat or produce or canned or packaged food you haven't tasted before.
When there are annual celebrations of different nationalities, check out their music and food. And it can be very enjoyable to talk to them about their customs and traditions. A 2025 study in BMC Neurology found that eating a broader range of foods across different food groups is directly linked with better cognitive function and a lower risk of neurodegenerative disease in older adults.
Habit #4: Commit to just one month at a local gym
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If you try out yoga, tai chi, aerobics, swimming, and other classes and workout machines, you could get "hooked" and do a great favor to your health by becoming an ongoing member. If you already walk/exercise regularly, add some spice by walking in different parks or neighborhoods. Encourage your non-exercising friends to join you. Making a difference in others' lives often helps us to feel more vital.
People who stay physically active tend to age more slowly in ways you can actually measure. Research has found that older adults who feel physically capable show a slower decline in health over time, and that even modest movement habits are enough to start tipping the scales in your favor.
Habit #5: Find a creative outlet that challenges your mind
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Take a painting class. Join a writers' group or a book discussion group. Try out for a part in a play. How about ice or roller skating? Cross-country skiing? Board games — check them out at Goodwill if you have qualms about the price of new games. My favorite is Dirty Minds: three clues sound suggestive, but the answer is not— it may be a bug, a lamp, a wagon, etc, and it's good exercise for the brain to come up with the answers.
Dr. Tutin explained that activities that stretch your mind and engage your creativity are among the most age-proof sources of joy there are. Whether you pick up a paintbrush, join a writers' group, or try out for a community play, the act of making something keeps you connected to yourself in ways that daily routine rarely does.
Habit #6: Revisit animated films you loved as a child
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Seeing entertainment from a child's eyes is a sure way to identify with young people's delights. And watch your own childhood and teen favorites. The Sound of Music? The Wizard of Oz? John Wayne movies? Saturday Night Live episodes? They're free at the library and reasonable in other venues.
Lianne Avila, a licensed marriage and family therapist, explains how the most youthful people actively build moments of lightness and joy into their lives rather than waiting for them to happen. Giving yourself full permission to feel something is one of the habits that separates people who thrive from people who simply get through it.
Habit #7: Dress in a way that actually excites you
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Whether that's bold colors, fitted jeans, or a scarf that makes you smile, dress in a way that's uniquely you. Wear shoes that look great with your clothes. When you go for a walk or to the gym, wear what looks good on you that is also comfortable.
Take a couple of hours at a new or used clothes store to try on a few outfits. Buy one that says "I look and feel good!" Then make time to gather a bouquet that lights you up, a piece of fruit, and plenty of time to meditate or rest or just take it easy.
A study on older women and fashion found that wearing clothing that feels expressive and self-assured has a direct positive effect on self-perception and overall well-being, and that how closely someone's appearance matches how they want to feel is a meaningful predictor of their happiness. Getting dressed in something that makes you smile is a small act of self-care that shapes how the rest of your day goes.
Morah Vestan is a life coach, communication trainer, and author. She has an M.A. in Adult Education and was a relationship columnist for 16 years for Seattle's Active Singles Life.
