The Golden Years
Turning 60 is great for a whole lot of reasons. We know ourselves better, understand what makes us happy, and hopefully have built a strong network of friends and family around us. But there are also some things we should stop doing. Read on to find out.
Smoking
If your parents or doctor ever told you to stop smoking, well, they were right. If you've been smoking for decades, that goes double. Health problems abound in cigarettes, from poor lung capacity to cancer risks.
Drinking
A glass of wine now and then probably isn't going to hurt, but your 60s is not the time to start drinking heavily. As we get older, we become more and more susceptible to alcohol's toxic effects.
Avoiding Getting Help
Therapy has been de-stigmatized in recent years, but it can still be hard to realize when you need professional guidance when it comes to your mental health. Don't be afraid to connect with a therapist, since you're never too old to process emotions.
Avoiding Physicals
We get it: The doctor's office is a scary place. But make sure you are in regular contact with your general practitioner, especially when it comes to getting regular physicals.
Avoiding The Gym
Our metabolism takes a big hit with every decade that passes, but that's no excuse to skip out on our fitness. Low impact exercises such as walking and swimming are great for total body health without sacrificing joint health.
Letting Your Reading List Lag
Being in your 60s definitely doesn't mean you know everything, and you can keep your mind open, curious, and strong by picking up new books to read on a regular basis.
Isolating Yourself
Everyone needs alone time, but if you find yourself getting restless and lonely, be sure to reach out to your support network for some quality time.
Eating Too Much Junk
It's always tempting to have that extra square of chocolate, and it's certainly okay to treat yourself now and then. But as our bodies get older, it becomes even more important for us to fill them with good fuel.
Not Getting Good Sleep
Gone are the days of going to bed at 3 am and waking up refreshed at 8:00, if they ever existed. Ensure you're getting a good sleep by practicing good sleep hygiene. That means no time in bed before bedtime, and no screens in bed.
Inside Creative House, Shutterstock
Pushing Through Stress
Stress is our bodies telling us to slow down. Listen to your body when you're stressed and, instead of rushing to surmount it, take a breather and meditate for a moment. Your mental health will thank you.
LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Pexels
Not Wear Sunscreen
Our skin is one of our most delicate organs, and by the time we've reached 60 it's probably seen a lot. Make sure to always (always!) wear sunscreen, including on rainy days and in winter.
Andy Dean Photography, Shutterstock
Stop Learning New Things
Whether it's a puzzle, a crossword, knitting, or another new hobby, make sure to keep your brain fired up by learning new things.
Monkey Business Images, Shutterstock
Wearing The Wrong Shoes
Maybe there was once a time where you wore painful heels or too-narrow brogues. But you don't have to live like that anymore! And you shouldn't. Get arch supports or other inserts and make sure you're walking confidently. This helps not just your feet, but your knees and hips.
Avoid The Dentist
Nope, we don't like the dentist either. You still need to go for regular cleanings, especially as your teeth grow older with you.
Avoid Wearing Glasses
Almost everybody will need glasses as they get older, whether they wore them when they were younger or not. Don't be afraid to pick up those reading glasses—and stay headache free.
Jimmy Panetta, Wikimedia Commons
Don't Drink Enough Water
Staying hydrated will keep your skin glowing, your joints happy, and your brain functioning, no matter what age you are.
Ignore Money Matters
While we'd all hope retirement savings just grow without worry, the truth is life gets in the way. If you're not certain of your finances even at 60 and beyond, that's OK! It's never too late to start, but do yourself a favor and start now.
Worrying What Other People Think
Part of the joy of being in your 60s is having a good understanding of who you are and what you want. That also means you don't need to put so much stock in other people's opinions.
Not Keeping Up With New Tech
New technology pops up practically every day, and can be hard to keep up with. But while you don't have to be the next Steve Jobs, you'll probably feel a lot more connected to your loved ones if you can text, video call, or email them with ease, so try to ask about the latest apps and how they work.
"Settling" For Your Friends
No one likes to settle, but this gets talked about in romantic relationships more than friendships. The same holds true for friends though, and if you're around people who don't seem like they "get" you or make you happy, don't be afraid to branch out and find new friends, maybe by joining a new club or taking up a new hobby.
Not Pushing Yourself At Fitness
Even if you're going to the gym regularly, make sure you're not phoning it in each time. Even in your 60s, your body will benefit from you getting a good sweat on, even if it's at a more moderate intensity than you used to do.
Centre for Aging Better, Pexels
Holding On To Useless Belongings
You really can't take it with you, and there's no use holding onto that candlestick you haven't used since 1994. Sure, keep your keepsakes around, but don't hold onto something just to have it.
Not Saying "No" Enough
While it's really good to say "yes" to new things, it's also okay to say "no" and take a break when you need it. You don't need to be everything to everybody, and some "me" time is important.
Wearing Clothes That Don't Fit
We all have that shirt, pants, or dress in the back of our closet that didn't even really fit when we first bought it. Your 60s is a time to let go of things that don't serve you, and that definitely doesn't.
Skipping Out On Travel
Travel can be expensive, so if you're keeping an eye on your finances, it might be okay to skip out on that resort trip your friend has planned. But if you're saying no because you're afraid, it's time to work on letting go of that fear.
Getting Stuck In A Rut
Everyone has their creature comforts, and those things are a great deal of what's good in life. But variety is also the spice of life—so make sure you mix in some new activities into your life.
Holding A Grudge
Your 60s is not the time to be making permanent enemies. In fact, at its best it can be a time of great forgiveness and letting go of angers that once held you.
Living In The Past
With society's obsession with youth, it can be easy—but wrong!—to feel like your best days are behind you. Sure, you probably had some good times then, but now you've known your friends even longer, have made more new ones, and can have an exciting time right in the present.
Complaining Too Much
Try to keep a positive outlook, especially when things seem rainy. Life is a lot about perspective, so try to practice gratitude every day.
Ignoring Your Savings Account
Although your 60s might be the decade you retire, don't forget about your savings account. Do what you can to squirrel away some money in there whenever you can, since you never know when you'll need it.
Conclusion
Your 60s are as much a time for adventure as reflection, and for new friends as well as old. Take care of your body, mind, and soul, and enjoy the ride. Let us know in the comments how your 60s and beyond are going!