If You Want To Like Yourself As You Get Older, Do These 12 Things

Do you want to still like yourself as you get older?

A smiling older man with white hair and a beard wears black-framed glasses and a bright yellow sweater. He stands in a warmly lit room with wooden accents and modern lighting in the background, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Many older people look in the mirror and don’t like what they see. Others reflect on their behavior and feel shame about what they’ve become, wondering what their younger selves would think. If you want to feel good about yourself as you age, try doing these things.

1. Remain physically active within your changing abilities.

A diverse group of four adults, dressed in athletic wear, practice yoga outdoors. They are standing with eyes closed and arms extended, appearing serene. The background features lush greenery, a body of water, and mountain scenery under a clear sky.

This goes beyond the “use it or lose it” adage and includes your self-esteem too. If you’re looking in the mirror at age 40 and cringing at what you see, how are you going to feel at 60? Work on keeping your body strong, functionally fit, agile, and healthy, while adjusting your efforts to reflect your changing physical capabilities.

2. Place a high priority on consuming a good diet.

An elderly man playfully feeds a smiling woman a vegetable stick at a dining table. The table is set with plates of food, a bowl of salad, a glass of orange juice, and a glass of milk. They appear to be enjoying their meal and each other's company.

You are what you eat, so make healthy, high-quality food a major priority. Determine which foods suit your body best, avoid the items that may cause you inflammation (consult allergists and nutritionists if needed), and invest in ingredients that will build up your health from the foundation upwards.

3. Remain well hydrated.

An older man with gray hair and a beard drinks from a blue water bottle. He is wearing a blue and black jacket and appears to be in an outdoor park or natural setting. His hand is on his hip, and trees are visible in the background.

Every aspect of your health and overall wellbeing can be improved with proper hydration. This includes joint flexibility as well as mental sharpness and mood elevation. Make sure that you drink plenty of water, keep your electrolytes up with salt and minerals, consume healthy fats, and moisturize your skin with non-toxic creams and oils.

4. Get as much sleep as you can.

An elderly woman with gray hair sleeps peacefully on her side in bed, with a man sleeping beside her. They are covered with a white blanket. Her phone is on the nightstand next to her. The bedroom has a warm, cozy ambiance.

Lack of sleep is a huge contributing factor to premature aging and wreaks havoc on your mental and emotional wellbeing. You’ll feel a lot better about yourself as a person, and have better relationships with those around you, if you get a solid 8-10 hours a night, plus naps as needed.

5. Never stop learning and challenging your mind.

A person with short white hair sits comfortably in a black chair holding an open book. The background features a bookshelf filled with various colorful books. The person is wearing a striped shirt and appears relaxed and content.

If you want to remain mentally fit and maintain mental clarity as you get older, ensure that you’re always learning something new. This prevents you from mental stagnation, while simultaneously forming new brain pathways to keep you alert and aware. You’ll like yourself a lot more if you remain mentally capable.

6. Learn from mistakes so you don’t repeat them.

A man with short brown hair and a full beard stands against a light-colored, textured wall. He has blue eyes and is looking straight at the camera with a neutral expression.

Everyone makes mistakes, but luckily, we have the opportunity to learn from our missteps. For example, if your relationship with your parents was strained because they treated you poorly, don’t treat your own kids the same way. This will avoid generational stress and trauma, and will result in happier, healthier family dynamics.

7. Think about the long-term effects of your actions and choices.

A man with short brown hair, wearing a white and maroon shirt, gazes thoughtfully to the side. He is outdoors, with a lush green forest visible in the background.

Each of our actions has consequences, and the choices we make today will affect us several years down the road. Consider the reality of how behaviors such as drinking heavily or alienating your friends and neighbors may affect you 10, 20, or 50 years from now, and adjust your actions accordingly.

8. Know that your real enemies in life are unguarded thoughts and emotions.

A woman with long brown hair stands indoors in front of large windows. She is wearing a white top and has a thoughtful expression, with one hand resting near her mouth. Outside the windows, a parking lot and bare trees are visible.

When you feel fear or anger and you act thoughtlessly, this can set up a chain of events that may haunt you forever. By being in control of yourself, and recognizing emotions as they appear, you can respond appropriately, rather than reacting…and regretting your actions for the rest of your life.

9. Develop skills in hobbies or pastimes that you enjoy.

A woman with medium-length brown hair is seated at a table, making candles. She is pouring a white substance into a small metal pot. The table has various candle-making supplies, and blurred shelves and a bulletin board are visible in the background.

Find a passion or two that you can dedicate real time and effort to doing, and you’ll keep on learning new techniques and honing your skills over time. Then, when you’re in your 70s, 80s, or beyond, you can be proud of the fact that you’ve become a master of your craft.

10. Do the things that scare you.

A young man with short dark hair and glasses stretches his arms out to the sides. He is wearing a white t-shirt with a graphic design. The background is blurred, featuring green foliage from trees. The image has a soft, serene ambiance.

People on their deathbeds often express a great deal of regret for all the things they wanted to do but felt too scared to do. If you don’t want to look at yourself with shame and disappointment when you get old, be brave enough to make your dreams a reality.

11. Develop some type of spirituality.

A man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing glasses and a brown t-shirt, stands against a light gray wall. He has his eyes closed and his hands crossed over his chest in a calm, meditative pose.

People who have some type of spiritual leaning tend to be much happier and more grounded in their senior years than those who don’t. Devote some time to learning about the many faiths and philosophies from around the world, and delve into them to see which resonates with you best.

12. Embrace the aging process with grace, rather than fighting against it.

A woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes is smiling while looking at the camera. She is wearing a light gray top. The background is blurred with greenery, suggesting an outdoor setting.

There are few things as unbecoming as a person who refuses to accept the fact that they’re aging. No amount of hair dye, cosmetic surgery, or juvenile behavior is going to refill your hourglass. Learn to embrace the aging process and make the most of each day you have left, with grace and dignity.