I’ve crossed the threshold of retirement, but I’m still working. And now I work because I choose to, not because I have to. I also find myself caring less about how many years I have left and more about the quality of the ones I’m now living. I pay attention to whether I’m feeling deeply, loving fully, and showing up for the people and moments that matter.
Those are some blessings of aging.
I’ve also experimented with a lot of strategies for supporting my brain and emotional well-being as I age. The three I keep coming back to are simple enough that anyone can do them. They don’t guarantee a problem-free life — nothing does — but they’ve helped me age with a little more resilience and grace. They can help you, too.
1. FEED YOUR BRAIN
One concrete habit that supports lasting mental health is good nutrition. Every day, I take a high-quality fish-oil supplement that combines EPA and DHA; a methylated B-complex vitamin; and magnesium L-threonate. These nutrients can support cognitive function and help regulate mood, as well as help protect against age-related decline.
I don’t rely solely on supplements. I get plenty of omega-3s from fatty fish, including salmon and sardines, as well as from walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. I like getting B vitamins from leafy greens, whole grains, quality eggs, and legumes. And I love getting magnesium from dark chocolate — as well as almonds, spinach, and black beans.
I’m not seeking perfection here, just making sure my brain has what it needs to maintain a strong, resilient foundation.
2. TEND TO YOUR INNER LIFE
My second habit is less concrete but more important: I make time for stillness each day. Not necessarily formal meditation, but some practice that lets me turn inward and listen.
I might spend this time doing absolutely nothing for a few minutes. Or I walk in the woods with no agenda.
Or I sit with tea and notice what I’m feeling. The form matters less than the intention — to stop striving and just be.
I’ve had this practice for decades. It helps ensure that I don’t miss my own life. Stillness creates space to process, grieve what needs grieving, and notice what brings joy. It helps me hear myself.
There’s no right way to do this. Just create a little space in your day to turn inward with curiosity and compassion. Start with five minutes, and see where it goes from there.
3. SAVOR WHAT YOU LOVE
The third habit is transformative: Practice savoring. You might savor a good meal, a beautiful morning, the sight of a migrating bird. But I especially recommend savoring your time with everyone you care about.
When you’re with someone, really look at them. Notice one thing — the warmth in their voice, how they laugh. Let yourself feel the goodness of their presence. You’re not thinking about what’s coming up or revisiting what happened yesterday. You’re just here, now, taking it in. Your time together is limited, and you let yourself know it. That’s it.
Research shows that savoring is among the most effective ways to increase well-being. But I don’t do it because of research. Savoring allows me to receive the gift of this moment, or this person, exactly as they are.
It’s Never Too Late
People ask if it’s too late to start aging well. The answer is no. Your brain retains the capacity to change throughout life. You can start nourishing your brain, tending your inner life, and savoring positive experiences at any age.
Is it ever too early? Also no. I wish I’d started decades sooner. But I’m grateful I started when I did. Aging is going to happen whether we cultivate positive habits or not. Bodies decline. Losses accumulate. But how we meet those realities is at least partly up to us.
These three habits help me be present for life’s inevitable losses without being taken down by them. They also help me love the people in my life more fully, meet my own limitations with a little more kindness, and keep doing work that matters. And they enable me to still feel joy, even in the midst of sorrow.
This is what I want from aging: Not to avoid all pain, but to have the inner resources to meet whatever comes my way. These simple practices make that more possible. At this stage of life, that’s enough.
This article originally appeared as “Habits for Healthy Aging” in the September/October 2026 issue of Experience Life.
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