If you want to live a happier life in your 60s and beyond, start saying goodbye to these 8 habits

Happiness after 60 doesn’t come from chasing more—it comes from letting go of what no longer serves you.

As a psychology graduate and mindfulness practitioner, I’ve spent years exploring what truly makes people content later in life. The happiest older adults I’ve met share one thing in common: they’ve learned the art of release.

If you want to live a more peaceful, meaningful, and joyful life in your 60s and beyond, it’s not about adding more habits—it’s about saying goodbye to the ones that quietly drain your energy and joy.

1. Saying yes when you really mean no

People-pleasing is one of those habits that’s easy to carry into your later years. Maybe you don’t want to upset your children, your friends, or your community. But every “yes” that goes against your heart takes a piece of your peace.

This is called this emotional dissonance—when your actions don’t align with your true feelings, it creates subtle but chronic stress.

The happiest people in their 60s have learned to honor their limits. They realize saying “no” isn’t selfish—it’s self-respect.

Start small. The next time someone asks you for a favor, take a deep breath before answering. If your gut says no, honor it. Your future self will thank you.

2. Comparing yourself to others

Social comparison doesn’t magically disappear with age. For some, retirement and social media make it even worse—you might compare your lifestyle, health, or family to others your age.

But comparison steals joy. Research found that frequent social comparison correlates strongly with lower life satisfaction and higher rates of depression, even in older adults.

Remember: there will always be someone richer, healthier, or more “together.” True happiness comes from measuring your life by your own values, not someone else’s highlight reel.

3. Holding onto regrets

The older we get, the easier it is to look back and think about what could have been. Maybe it’s a relationship that ended too soon or a career you didn’t pursue.

But as the Buddhist principle of non-attachment teaches, clinging to the past is the root of suffering.

You can’t rewrite your story, but you can change how you relate to it. Instead of seeing your past as a series of missed chances, view it as a teacher. Every regret holds wisdom—if you let it.

When you release regret, you make space for presence. And presence is where peace lives.

4. Neglecting your body

You can’t buy health, but you can cultivate it. Yet many people in their 60s still treat their bodies like a burden rather than a home.

Physical well-being is deeply tied to emotional well-being. Studies show that regular exercise—especially walking, yoga, or strength training—reduces the risk of depression and cognitive decline by up to 40%.

You don’t have to become a gym junkie. Just commit to moving every day. Treat your body as a lifelong ally, not an afterthought.

Think of it this way: every step you take today is an investment in your future self.

5. Dwelling on what’s missing

Many people unconsciously focus on what they’ve lost—youth, loved ones, opportunities—rather than what they still have.

But psychology tells us that attention shapes reality. What you focus on expands.

When you train your mind to notice gratitude—warm sunlight, a meaningful conversation, a good meal—your brain releases dopamine and serotonin, the same “happiness chemicals” associated with joy and contentment.

Start a simple ritual: at the end of each day, name three things you appreciated. Over time, this shifts your inner narrative from scarcity to abundance.

6. Overthinking the future

It’s natural to worry about health, finances, or the unknown as you age. But constant forecasting creates anxiety.

Mindfulness teaches that peace only exists in the present moment. When you dwell too much on what’s ahead, you rob yourself of today’s calm.

Neuroscience backs this up. A 2019 study from Harvard found that people spend nearly 47% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they’re doing—and that this “mind-wandering” directly lowers happiness.

The happiest older adults I’ve met live by a simple truth: Life unfolds one breath at a time. Worry doesn’t prevent tomorrow’s pain—it only drains today’s peace.

7. Isolating yourself

Loneliness is one of the biggest threats to happiness in later life. In fact, research from the National Institute on Aging links social isolation to higher risks of heart disease, dementia, and depression.

But connection doesn’t mean being surrounded by people—it means being seen, heard, and understood.

Reach out to old friends. Join a local class or volunteer group. Or simply have meaningful conversations with your neighbors. Human warmth is medicine.

In Buddhist philosophy, interconnectedness is central to happiness. We are not meant to walk through life alone.

Final thoughts: The art of release

The truth is, the happiest people in their 60s and beyond don’t cling to who they were—they grow into who they’re becoming.

They release comparison, regret, and worry. They say no when it matters, move their bodies with love, and seek connection instead of perfection.

As the Buddha said, “You only lose what you cling to.” Letting go isn’t giving up—it’s returning to yourself.

And if you’d like to go deeper into this way of living, my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How to Live with Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego offers practical insights into building inner peace and joy at any age. It’s not about religion—it’s about awareness, acceptance, and a quiet strength that comes from within.

Because the art of happiness in your 60s isn’t about holding on tighter—it’s about learning, finally, to let go.