If you can still do these 7 things in your 70s, you're aging better than most people your age

There’s a guy in my neighborhood who walks his German shepherd every morning like clockwork. He’s 74.

I know because he told me once when I complimented his blue Nikes and asked what keeps him so spry.

His answer? “Staying curious. And not sitting still for too long.”

That stuck with me—mostly because society has always painted aging like this slow, inevitable collapse into irrelevance and back pain.

But as my neighbor proves everyday, it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you’re in your 70s and still doing the following seven things, you’re not just “doing okay”—you’re thriving.

These are the everyday markers of a body that’s still flexible, a mind that’s still agile, and a spirit that refuses to retire from growth.

1. You can carry your groceries without needing help

Not the whole week's worth in one trip—that’s a different kind of flex. I’m talking two full bags, across the parking lot, without having to stop and readjust your grip every ten steps.

This is about grip strength and functional mobility, two things researchers increasingly point to as predictors of longevity.

In one study published in The BMJ, stronger handgrip was linked to lower risk of all-cause mortality.

Why? Because it's not just your hands doing the work—it’s a full-body symphony of muscle, coordination, and balance.

So if you can still hoist that bag of oranges without pulling something? You’re way ahead of the curve. (Bonus points if you refuse plastic and bring your own canvas tote!)

2. You still look forward to learning something new

Whether it’s figuring out how to use that fancy air fryer your niece got you or finally signing up for that watercolor class, the desire to keep learning is a sign your brain’s still got bounce.

Neuroplasticity doesn’t disappear after 50—it just responds differently. Learning new things in your 70s helps keep your brain lit up and connected.

Plus, it combats the emotional stagnancy that can sneak in during retirement years.

I once watched my uncle spend an entire Sunday trying to learn a TikTok dance for his granddaughter. He didn’t quite nail it, but he laughed the whole time. That’s youth, in motion.

If you're the type to bookmark online recipes, watch nature documentaries, or ask your grandkids about their favorite apps just to see what they’re into, that hunger to understand the world keeps your mental motor running smooth.

3. You can still get up from the floor without using your hands

This is one of those hidden fitness tests we don't talk about enough.

Being able to get up from a seated position on the ground—without relying on your hands or knees—is a major indicator of mobility, core strength, and joint health.

In fact, a Brazilian study found that people who could sit and rise from the floor with minimal support lived longer on average than those who couldn't.

It’s not about doing it perfectly—it’s about maintaining control over your body and having confidence in your own strength. That matters more than having a six-pack. (Though hey, if you’ve still got one, rock on.)

And if getting up is harder than it used to be? No shame in working toward it slowly. Strength isn’t an age—it’s a practice.

4. You remember the names of new people you meet

Memory isn’t just a numbers game—it’s a social game.

If you’re still picking up names at family reunions, neighbors at community events, or even baristas at the local café, that means your brain’s filing cabinet is still open for business.

Short-term memory naturally dips with age, but the ability to form new associations is a sign that your cognition is aging with grace.

Even more so if you can remember someone’s name and what they do for a living.

5. You laugh at yourself—often

There’s something wildly youthful about people in their 70s who don’t take themselves too seriously.

If you can still laugh when you misplace your glasses (and they’re on your head), that’s not forgetfulness—it’s emotional intelligence with a side of self-awareness.

Studies show that people who have a healthy sense of humor often score higher on resilience scales.

They cope better with change, bounce back faster from stress, and are generally more fun to be around. It’s like a mental kombucha—fermented through experience, but still fizzy.

I once watched a woman in her 70s completely mess up the lyrics during karaoke and keep going anyway—with full choreography. Everyone clapped, not because she was flawless, but because she was fearless. That kind of lightness is contagious.

6. You make plans for the future (and believe you’ll be there)

Let’s be honest, a lot of people in their 70s often feel like there’s no point in making plans because—who knows?

Who knows what your energy levels will be like next month? Who knows if your knees will cooperate? Who knows if your friends will even be around to join you?

That kind of thinking sounds practical, but if you’re not careful, it starts to chip away at your sense of agency. The idea that your best days are behind you? It creeps in quietly, usually disguised as “being realistic.”

But here’s the flip side: when you do make plans—however small—you’re casting a vote of confidence in your future.

You’re signaling to your mind, your body, and the people around you that you’re not done dreaming, deciding, or showing up.

It could be as big as planning a trip you’ve been putting off for decades, or as simple as joining a community garden next season.

It doesn’t even have to be exciting. One man I spoke with recently said his proudest moment last year was pre-ordering a book that wouldn’t be released for six months.

“I wanted to remind myself I’d still be here,” he said. “Still reading. Still curious.”

There’s something quietly powerful about that mindset. Because making plans isn’t just about what you do—it’s about believing you’ll still be in the picture.

That belief adds momentum to your days. It keeps you emotionally invested in the world, in your body, and in your relationships.

Sure, flexibility matters. Sometimes plans change. But if you’re still someone who talks about “next year” like it’s yours to shape, you’re not just growing older—you’re growing forward.

7. You still move your body every day—on purpose

Doesn’t matter if it’s a walk, gentle yoga, tai chi, or dancing to BTS in your living room (guilty). Intentional movement isn’t just about staying fit—it’s about maintaining agency over your body.

When you choose to move daily, you’re telling yourself: I’m still here. I’m still participating.

And yes, that counts even if your knees sound like microwave popcorn. What matters is consistency, not intensity.

A recent Harvard Health report found that even moderate movement, like walking 30 minutes a day, helps reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and depression.

Movement isn’t just exercise—it’s celebration. It’s you saying, “My body may not be 25, but it still deserves joy, attention, and energy.”

Final words

Aging “better” doesn’t mean pretending you're 30. It means living fully with the body, brain, and outlook you have now—and giving them good reasons to keep showing up.

So if you're doing even a few of these seven things in your 70s, you're not just beating the odds. You're redefining them.

And if you're not there yet? Take notes from that guy in the blue Nikes. Stay curious. Don’t sit still for too long.

And maybe—just maybe—add a little dance break into your day.