Staying young isn’t about chasing time. It’s about how you live it. Here are 9 small, consistent things people over 60 do to keep their glow
We all know that person who seems to defy time.
They’re in their sixties or seventies, but they’ve got that glow. Not the "just got Botox" kind of glow, but the one that comes from within.
Their eyes are bright, their posture strong, and they move with an ease that makes you wonder what their secret is.
Chances are, it’s not one single thing.
It’s a collection of habits. Small, consistent actions that they’ve done daily, often for decades.
Here’s what I’ve noticed, and what research confirms, about people who age gracefully and keep that youthful spark well into their later years.
Let’s get into it.
1) They eat real food
No surprise here. Most people who look vibrant past 60 have a long-term love affair with whole, unprocessed foods.
We’re talking colorful fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of water.
They’re not obsessed with restrictive diets or the latest “anti-aging” supplement. Instead, they’ve developed a balanced relationship with food, one rooted in nourishment rather than punishment.
A Mediterranean-style diet tends to come up often in studies.
It’s full of antioxidants, omega-3s, and fiber, all of which help reduce inflammation and keep your skin, brain, and body running smoothly.
And it’s not just what they eat. It’s how they eat. People who age well often slow down at mealtime.
They savor their food. They don’t rush through lunch in front of a laptop or scroll through Instagram while chewing.
Mindful eating helps digestion, prevents overeating, and turns food into a source of calm instead of stress.
2) They stay active (but not obsessed)
You don’t need to run marathons to age gracefully. In fact, most people who look young after 60 aren’t pushing themselves to extremes in the gym. They’re simply consistent.
They move every day in some way. A walk. A stretch. A swim. Maybe some yoga or light strength training.
The key isn’t intensity; it’s sustainability. They find ways to stay active that bring them joy. That’s what keeps them doing it day after day, year after year.
Regular movement boosts circulation, strengthens muscles, keeps joints flexible, and helps the skin get more oxygen and nutrients.
All of that contributes to a healthy glow.
I once met a 68-year-old chef in Lisbon who told me his secret: “I move like a child. I stretch when I feel stiff. I dance when there’s music. I never stopped.”
That line stuck with me.
3) They protect their skin (and not just with products)
If you ask anyone over 60 with great skin what they’ve been doing, sunscreen will almost always make the list.
Daily SPF use is like compound interest for your skin. It pays off over time in ways you can’t imagine.
But here’s the thing. People who look young aren’t just protecting their skin from the outside. They’re taking care of it from the inside too.
Hydration, sleep, balanced nutrition, and stress management all affect how your skin looks and feels.
And while skincare products can help, they’re not magic. A $200 serum won’t make up for five hours of sleep and constant stress.
The people who look youthful in their sixties have usually built habits around rest, balance, and consistency.
Their skin reflects their lifestyle, not just their skincare routine.
4) They get quality sleep
If there’s one underrated secret to looking young, it’s sleep.
You can eat kale and drink green tea all you want, but if you’re not sleeping well, your body pays for it quickly.
During deep sleep, your body repairs tissue, balances hormones, and boosts collagen production. That’s nature’s real night cream.
And it’s not just about quantity; it’s about rhythm. People who age well tend to respect their body’s internal clock. They go to bed and wake up at consistent times.
It might sound boring, but it works.
A well-rested 65-year-old often looks more radiant than a 35-year-old who’s running on caffeine and anxiety.
5) They manage stress like pros
Ever noticed how chronic stress seems to age people overnight? It’s not your imagination.
Stress triggers inflammation, disrupts hormones, and even shortens telomeres, those tiny caps on our DNA linked to aging.
But here’s the thing. People who look good in their sixties aren’t living stress-free lives. They’ve just learned to handle stress differently.
Some meditate. Others journal, garden, or take long walks. They have emotional outlets and firm boundaries.
They don’t try to control everything. They focus on what they can control: their mindset, their health, their reactions.
That calm confidence shows up on their faces. Fewer frown lines, softer expressions, better posture.
As Lucius Annaeus Seneca said, “We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.” People who age well seem to understand that deeply.
6) They stay curious
This one might surprise you, but it’s huge.
A youthful mind often leads to a youthful appearance.
People who look young after 60 are rarely stuck in their ways. They’re open, curious, and still excited about life.
They travel. They try new foods. They learn new skills.
Curiosity keeps the brain flexible and engaged, and that mental energy tends to show on the outside too.
Ever noticed how someone’s eyes light up when they’re talking about something they love? That spark doesn’t fade with age if you keep feeding it.
When I was working in hospitality, I met guests in their seventies who were more vibrant than most people in their thirties. The difference wasn’t money or privilege.
It was curiosity. They were still learning, still experimenting, still fully alive.
7) They nurture their relationships
One of the longest-running studies on happiness, the Harvard Study of Adult Development, found that good relationships are the single biggest predictor of health and longevity.
Not diet. Not exercise. Relationships.
People who age beautifully tend to have strong social circles. They maintain close friendships, invest in family bonds, and participate in communities that make them feel seen and valued.
Connection changes our biology. It lowers cortisol, improves immune function, and enhances heart health.
It’s why you can often spot someone who feels loved and connected. Their face looks softer, their energy warmer.
While skincare helps, laughter and companionship might just be the ultimate anti-aging formula.
8) They have purpose
Purpose keeps you young.
When people retire and lose their sense of meaning, they often start to fade both mentally and physically.
On the other hand, those who stay engaged in something they care about, whether it’s mentoring, volunteering, or creative work, tend to thrive.
Purpose gives you direction. It pulls you out of bed in the morning. It gives your days structure and your life meaning.
And that sense of meaning radiates. It gives your face a kind of light that no product can replicate.
Psychologist Viktor Frankl once said that “those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how.’” That quote hits differently when you meet someone who’s still full of passion in their sixties.
9) They don’t try to be young, they just live fully
Finally, here’s the big one.
People who genuinely look young past 60 aren’t trying to look young. They’re too busy living well.
They embrace their age without letting it define them. They don’t chase trends or obsess over wrinkles. They’ve accepted themselves, and that self-acceptance is magnetic.
Ironically, it’s often this lack of obsession with youth that makes them look so fresh.
You can sense their inner peace. You can feel that they’re comfortable in their own skin.
And there’s something incredibly attractive about that, at any age.
The bottom line
Looking young after 60 isn’t about luck or perfect genetics. It’s about the compounding effect of small, intentional habits that nourish you from the inside out.
Eat well. Move daily. Protect your skin. Sleep deeply.
Manage your stress. Stay curious. Build strong relationships. Live with purpose. And most importantly, stop chasing youth and embody it instead.
Aging well isn’t about resisting time. It’s about partnering with it.
The earlier you start, the better. But honestly, it’s never too late to begin.
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