Leading Aging Expert Reveals How Retirees Can Live A Healthy, Happier Life

Imagine being 100 years old and still dancing at the Tango festival. That’s what Evangeline Shuler did to feed her passion. That gives her so much joy. She fills her life with learning and new experiences. Shuler has gone on 114 tours with the adventure company Road Scholars. Her mind is active, and her thinking is crystal clear. Now, that’s the type of life that many Baby Boomers dream about living.

There are many inspiring stories about people who have aged into their 90s and still have a high quality of life. Based on the research on aging that he has conducted, Dr. Eric Larson, the author of Enlightened Aging, offers some revelations on how Baby Boomers can work towards living a long, happy, and healthy life. Viewed as the country’s leading expert on aging, Dr. Larson, MD, MPH, is a professor at the University of Washington department of Medicine and Health Services, with the distinguished honor of being an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine. He founded and led a longitudinal research program focused on healthy aging and delaying and preventing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

“Having a meaningful and fulfilling purpose is essential to your long-term happiness,” says Dr. Larson. “Millions of Baby Boomers are choosing to have lives devoted to service, which provides a positive feeling from doing something of value that helps others. As you age, what is most important is to center your life on what gives your life meaning and pleases you.” That might look like being very active grandparents to some people, while others would want to work at a charity or donate some hours each week to help immigrants or young people learn to read. “It’s important just to do what makes you feel fulfilled,” he says.

A very active 75-year-old, Dr. Larson stressed the importance of keeping active and engaged. Based on his research, he identified three reservoirs you need to develop and nourish for successful aging. These are mental, physical, and social. He explained that one’s mental reservoir involves the need to engage your brain. The physical reservoir involves diet and exercise. Finally, the social reservoir comes from your relationships and experiences with family, friends, and new people you meet along the way.

In retirement, people focus more on the social relationships that are most important to them. They want to spend time with family and friends. He encourages retirees to develop friendships with younger people, too, since they can replace older friends who pass away. “Younger friends keep the vitality of living alive,” he noted. “In the mental arena, people overlook having active mental engagement versus watching TV.” Instead, engage your mind daily, like reading or playing the popular game Wordle . Try learning something new which is a critical way to delay aging. For example, a man liked playing the piano in his youth. For years, he’d didn’t play. Then in retirement, he resurrected this old hobby.

Dr. Larson stated that moving your body by exercising is fundamental for your health. “The No. 1 thing to prevent dementia as we age is daily physical activity . This is as close to a magic bullet as we have. Being sedentary and inactive is the kiss of death,” says Dr. Larson.

A former Microsoft program manager, retiree Glen Anderson made physical challenges his main life focus. “I’ve climbed more than 60 mountains since I retired 18 months ago,” said Anderson, who lives in the Pacific Northwest. “The climb up Mount Adams was twelve miles, a 6,700-foot ascent, and at the top, I was at 12,276 feet elevation. Mountain climbing is the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever done.” (You can read Anderson’s entire story in the Fobes article “ Retired And Bored? Inspiration And Tips On How This Retiree Is Living It Up .” Now, that is being active.)

The Key To A Happier Life

Aging does bring heartache. There is one trait that every retiree must work to develop to be happy as they age, and that is resilience . Dr. Larson explained, “Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. Think about the palm tree that bends during the hurricane. It bends but does not break. As you age, you are going to lose loved ones. You must accept that this loss will happen and bounce back from this adversity.” His solution is to build up your resilience.

The American Psychological Association defines resilience as the process and outcome of successfully adapting to challenging life experiences. Psychologists define resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress—such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or financial stressors. Think of resilience as “bouncing back” from these experiences while also involving profound personal growth and empowerment.

Here are some specific ways to intentionally build resilience:

Prioritize relationships. Connecting with empathetic and understanding people can remind you that you’re not alone during difficult times. Unfortunately, the pain of traumatic events can lead some people to isolate themselves, but it’s important to accept help and support from those who care about you.

Have a plan. Make a bucket list of things you want to do in the next two years. Then, research and plot everything you need to do to make those items happen. If it’s a trip, explore all the new places you’ll see. Investigate tours or cruises that allow you to go on a new adventure. Don’t wait—do these bucket items in order of priority, and schedule them sooner rather than later.

Join a group. Find groups or places that offer your interest in local or online activities and become a member. These people have a common interest so that you can develop new friendships. For example, try a book club, pickleball, knitting, golf, bike riding, hiking, music groups, or playing cards. Senior centers offer many activities and events to check out.

Help others. Having a meaningful purpose is essential to your long-term happiness. You can volunteer and work at a charity, be part of a church mission, or simply aid a friend or neighbor. By helping others, you can find fulfillment, foster self-worth, connect with others, and make a difference.

Be proactive. It’s helpful to acknowledge and accept your emotions during hard times, but it’s also essential to help you foster self-discovery by asking yourself, “What can I do about a problem in my life?” If the problems seem too big to tackle, break them down into manageable pieces. Taking the initiative will remind you that you can muster motivation even during stressful periods, increasing the likelihood that you’ll bounce back from painful experiences.

Accept change. Accept that change is a part of life. Specific goals or ideals may no longer be attainable because of adverse situations. For example, you may see aging declines, such as no longer being able to drive at night. Accepting circumstances that cannot be changed or controlled can help you focus on things you can alter.

Maintain a hopeful outlook. It’s hard to be positive when life isn’t going your way. An optimistic outlook empowers you to expect good things to happen. It knows you’ll have great days ahead. Try visualizing what you want rather than worrying about what you fear.

By Robin Ryan, Contributor