- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Acton Today
By the People, for the People
7 Lifestyle Habits to Thrive as You Age
Experts share tips for staying healthy and engaged in your bonus years.
Apr. 4, 2026 at 1:37pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
As people live longer, experts are sharing advice on how to thrive in the 'bonus years' of life after retirement. Key habits include regular physical activity, learning new skills to boost brain health, finding a sense of purpose, and engaging in acts of kindness through volunteering.
Why it matters
Maintaining an active lifestyle and sense of purpose as people age can have significant benefits, including reduced risks of dementia, heart disease, depression, and other health issues. Thriving in later life is about more than just physical health - it's about staying mentally, socially, and emotionally engaged.
The details
The article cites research showing the wide-ranging benefits of regular moderate to vigorous physical activity, including improved sleep, decreased anxiety, and lower blood pressure. It also highlights the importance of brain plasticity and learning new skills to create new neural pathways and improve cognitive abilities. Additionally, the article emphasizes the value of finding a 'reason for being' or sense of purpose, as well as the health benefits of volunteering and engaging in acts of kindness.
- The article was published on April 4, 2026.
The players
Helen Dennis
A nationally recognized leader on issues of aging and the new retirement with academic, corporate and nonprofit experience.
What they’re saying
“Thriving means to live a fulfilling, purposeful and satisfying life, despite its challenges. It's a feeling of well-being.”
— Helen Dennis, Aging and Retirement Expert
The takeaway
This article highlights the importance of maintaining an active, engaged, and purposeful lifestyle as people age. By adopting healthy habits like regular exercise, continuous learning, and community involvement, older adults can thrive and enjoy their 'bonus years' to the fullest.
