If you can still do these 9 things in your 70s, you're aging far better than you think

My grandfather used to slice mangoes with the kind of precision you’d expect from a seasoned sushi chef. Every Sunday morning, rain or shine, he’d walk to the market, fill his basket with produce, and come home whistling as he cleaned greens and boiled beans.

By the time I hit my teens, I realized his longevity wasn't luck. It was rhythm. His health wasn’t something he protected out of fear—it was something he nourished out of joy.

Today, our culture is finally starting to look past the wrinkle creams and anti-aging pills to ask a better question: not how long can we live, but how well? And if you’re still doing these nine things in your 70s, you’re aging far better than you think.

In fact, you may be quietly modeling the most powerful form of sustainability we have: living in harmony with your body, community, and the planet.

1. You can cook yourself a complete meal

This isn’t just about nourishment—it’s about independence, confidence, and connection to culture.

If you’re in your 70s and still preparing your own meals (even if that means chopping veggies while listening to the radio), you’re maintaining both physical dexterity and cognitive coordination.

Cooking is a deeply sensory act—hearing the sizzle of garlic, smelling herbs bloom in hot oil, tasting for salt.

These little moments of awareness engage parts of the brain that boost memory and emotional resilience.

Plus, home-cooked, plant-rich meals tend to be lower in saturated fats and higher in fiber and antioxidants, which support heart and gut health.

And there’s an emotional layer, too. When you make your own meals, you’re not just eating—you’re choosing yourself. That matters more than we often realize.

Sustainability tip: Cook in batches to reduce energy use and food waste. Freeze portions for future-you—it’s self-care that tastes like foresight.

2. You garden or care for plants

You don’t need a sprawling backyard to feel the benefits of tending life. Whether it’s a hanging pothos in your kitchen, a basil pot on your fire escape, or a raised bed of kale in your backyard, caring for plants is an act of interdependence.

In Blue Zones like Okinawa and Sardinia—where people frequently live into their 90s and 100s—gardening is a near-universal habit among elders. It provides gentle, low-impact movement, daily exposure to sunlight, and a sense of purpose that doesn’t disappear with retirement.

And then there’s the emotional reward: the quiet satisfaction of seeing something grow because of your care. For many older adults, especially those navigating grief, loss, or isolation, this becomes a lifeline.

Want to deepen the impact? Grow herbs or vegetables you actually use. Start with rosemary, mint, or green onions—low-maintenance and high-reward. You’ll cut down your food miles and plastic packaging with every snip.

3. You walk most places—or at least want to

Let’s be real: walking isn’t glamorous. But it is quietly revolutionary.

If you’re still taking regular strolls—to the park, the store, or just around the block—you’re maintaining one of the most essential ingredients of vitality: mobility.

The American Heart Association states that walking briskly for just 30 minutes a day can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

For older adults, it also helps maintain muscle tone and joint flexibility, which are key for preventing falls and fractures.

But there’s another layer: walking connects us to place. When you walk to the store or your friend’s house, you’re engaging with your environment in a way that builds spatial memory and community resilience.

And in terms of sustainability? Walking is the most eco-friendly transportation choice we’ve got.

Try this: Start with a 15-minute post-meal stroll—shown to help regulate blood sugar and digestion—and build from there.

4. You remember names, recipes, and inside jokes

Cognitive decline isn’t inevitable. If you can still recall your childhood friend’s laugh, your partner’s favorite dessert, and which spice goes in your signature mole, you’re actively resisting the most feared aspect of aging: memory loss.

These little moments—pulling up an old story at dinner, remembering your doctor’s name, reciting lyrics from a favorite song—are signs of a sharp and connected mind. And when those memories are shared aloud, they spark joy not just for you, but for everyone listening.

Neurologists often use language retention and storytelling as informal benchmarks of brain health. And the more varied your mental “playlist” (languages spoken, recipes known, cultural references stored), the stronger your neural pathways.

Support your recall: Snack on brain-friendly foods like walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and blueberries. And tell stories. Every memory you share is like watering your mental garden.

5. You initiate connection—calls, coffee dates, conversation

Social engagement isn’t just good for your heart—it may help keep it beating.

A 2022 study in the Journal of Aging Health found that that people who reported moderate to severe loneliness, as well as those with limited or moderate social networks, were significantly more likely to die over the follow-up period—even after adjusting for age, chronic illness, and lifestyle factors.

But initiating contact is even more powerful. It shows you’re still emotionally invested in the world around you—a sign of emotional intelligence and resilience.

Whether you’re organizing Sunday potlucks or sending memes to your grandkids, you’re keeping your connection muscles strong.

Don’t overthink it: Start with a weekly ritual—a Sunday call, a plant-based brunch, a walk-and-talk. The more we practice connecting, the easier it becomes to stay connected.

6. You sleep deeply and wake with intention

Sleep changes as we age—our melatonin production shifts, and our circadian rhythms can wobble.

But if you’re still getting 7–8 hours most nights and waking up without dread or disorientation, you’re likely enjoying better health than many of your peers.

Deep sleep is when our bodies heal, our brains process memories, and our immune systems recharge. Older adults who sleep well tend to have sharper minds, steadier moods, and better mobility.

The “wake with intention” part matters too. It could be as small as watering the plants, stretching on the rug, or making a cup of loose-leaf tea. The point is you have something you look forward to—something that anchors your morning in meaning.

Try this to anchor your internal clock: If you’re waking up groggy, try stepping outside within 30 minutes of rising—even two minutes of natural light can help reset your body’s rhythm and boost alertness without caffeine.

7. You stay curious about the world

Curiosity is the soul’s way of stretching. If you’re still asking questions, you’re keeping your mind elastic and engaged.

Lifelong curiosity correlates with reduced risk of cognitive decline and greater life satisfaction. It also helps us adapt—something we all need as the world keeps shifting around us.

This kind of openness doesn’t have to be intellectual. It might show up as a willingness to try oat milk in your café de olla, learn a new plant name, or listen to your teenage grandkid explain their playlist.

Feed that flame: Watch documentaries and visit cultural festivals. Try one new dish every month. Curiosity isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about being willing to learn.

8. You can name what brings you joy

It doesn’t have to be poetic. It can be cinnamon toast, birdwatching, singing along to old records, or watching people parallel park (don’t ask me why, but one of my neighbors swears it’s her favorite thing).

If you can still access joy—and name it—you’re staying emotionally attuned. That ability to track what lights you up, even in small ways, means your internal compass is still active. You’re still receptive. And that’s not just cute—it’s neurologically protective.

Joy is a mental vitamin. Recognizing it keeps your perspective supple, your relationships warmer, and your outlook more generous.

Build a habit of naming the good stuff: Once a week before bed, whisper or write down one thing that brought you quiet delight. Naming joy helps you notice it more often—and trains your brain to lean toward what’s good, even on ordinary days.

9. You still care about something outside yourself

Whether it’s your garden, your neighbor’s dog, or the state of the local library—it matters that something still pulls your care outward.

As we age, it’s easy (and sometimes necessary) to turn inward. But the people who age best tend to keep some sense of reach. They invest, notice, tend, contribute—even if in quiet ways.

That external orientation is linked to longer life spans and better emotional health. It says: I’m still part of something.

Take small, steady actions: Once a month, do one tiny thing for that “thing you care about”—pull a weed from your local park, send a thank-you email to a librarian, or bring extra treats for the neighborhood dog. These micro-moments of contribution remind you: you still matter in the bigger web.

The upshot: Aging well isn’t rare—it’s rooted

We’ve been sold the myth that aging is a downhill slide. But what if it’s a deepening? What if our 70s and beyond can be full of color, texture, and flavor—not despite our age, but because of it?

If you’re still doing these nine things, you’re beating the odds. You’re embodying a lifestyle that prioritizes presence, connection, and sustainability. You’re aging in a way that feeds both your own spirit and the broader ecosystem around you.

So let’s rewrite the script. Aging well isn’t just about adding years to your life. It’s about adding life to your years—with every step, every meal, every moment of wonder.