I stepped out of my morning shower yesterday and caught my reflection – those laugh lines around my eyes seemed deeper. Turning 35 last month got me thinking about aging gracefully. What habits should we shed as we mature? After talking with several vibrant fifty-somethings in my wellness community, I discovered some fascinating patterns about what they’ve deliberately left behind.
My neighbor Rita, a glowing 56-year-old yoga instructor, told me over coffee, “The day I stopped apologizing for taking time for myself was the day my life truly began.” Her words stuck with me. Research from the Stanford Center on Longevity suggests that people who thrive in their later years often make intentional shifts in their daily habits around the half-century mark.
One of the first habits worth ditching is people-pleasing. Dr. Lauren Martinez, a psychologist specializing in midlife transitions, explained to me that many folks in their 50s finally give themselves permission to prioritize their own needs. “By midlife, you’ve earned the right to set boundaries without guilt,” she said during our interview last week. I watched my mother make this shift – her newfound ability to say “no” transformed her energy levels.
The second habit worth abandoning is sedentary living. I spoke with Carlos, a 58-year-old marathon runner who didn’t lace up his first running shoes until age 52. “I spent decades thinking exercise was punishment,” he laughed as we stretched after a community run. “Now I move because it feels amazing.” Studies show that adopting regular physical activity, even later in life, can add up to seven years to your lifespan.
Many successful agers also report letting go of rigid thinking. My friend’s mother recently painted her kitchen bright yellow at 63, after decades of “appropriate” beige walls. This flexibility extends beyond décor – research from Epochedge Lifestyle shows that mental adaptability strongly correlates with happiness after 50.
Cutting back on excessive worry ranks high on the habit-ditching list too. “I spent my thirties and forties rehearsing disasters that never happened,” admitted Terry, a serene 64-year-old I interviewed for a piece on urban meditation spaces. A recent Yale study found that stress reduction techniques become increasingly effective with age, suggesting our capacity for emotional regulation can actually improve over time.
The fifth habit worth abandoning? Avoiding health screenings. Several wellness experts I consulted emphasized that preventative care becomes non-negotiable after 50. Regular check-ups catch potential issues early, when they’re most treatable. As someone who still dreads doctor visits, I found it reassuring that many people develop a more pragmatic relationship with healthcare as they mature.
Digital overload is another habit many thrive by reducing. Last summer, I watched my uncle dramatically improve his sleep after establishing a “screens-off-at-eight” rule in his household. The blue light from devices disrupts melatonin production more significantly as we age, according to sleep researchers at UCLA.
Finally, the most successful agers seem to abandon the belief that learning ends with formal education. I met Diane, 67, at a sustainable living workshop last month. She’s currently learning Japanese, taking ceramics classes, and planning her first solo international trip. “My fifties were when I realized I wasn’t finished becoming me,” she said, her eyes bright with purpose.
What habits might you need to release as you age? Perhaps the real wisdom lies in recognizing that growth doesn’t end at any particular birthday – it just takes different forms as our perspective deepens and our priorities shift.
