The advantages of robust household ties can repay later in life: A paper within the journal Psychology and Getting old suggests that there’s “robust proof that having extra shut relations and mates is related to much less loneliness.”² Much less loneliness doesn’t simply imply an extended life, however a extra fulfilling one as you age.^3,4

Put aside time to prioritize your private objectives.

Allen says she feels way more goal-oriented today as she appears to be like again at how she’s spent her life. “You need to make your time productive,” she says. “As a result of once you get to a sure age, generally you’ve been flying, flying, flying, and understand, ‘I wasn’t paying consideration in my 20s.’ I had my youngster in my 30s and in my 40s, and so now I’m again to me.” So, she says, “take into consideration what you wish to do and all the time be shifting in the direction of that—one thing that you just wanna pour your self and provides your self to.”

Analysis signifies that having objectives and particular plans to realize them—or just writing them down—not solely has a constructive impact in your well-being, however can assist you get by way of a troublesome time. ^{5, 6, 7} Following by way of on these objectives can be tied to extra satisfaction all through your life.⁸

Now, Allen says, “I’m a grandmother and so it’s like, Okay, what am I gonna do with the second half of my life now?’ I’ve bought to maintain myself.” Analysis additionally reveals that having objective in life not solely leads to higher happiness and extra life satisfaction, however even in higher bodily well being—together with an extended life.^{9, 10, 11}

Be mild with your self as you embrace change.

Whereas getting older is commonly portrayed as a technique of changing into extra sure in who you might be and rising set in your methods, 64-year-old Kim Crawley, an authorized caregiver in Baltimore, tells SELF, “You generally have to alter. Some stuff you simply need to let go. And a few issues you’ll want to decide up that may allow you to. It’s going to be a wrestle however you need to do it on your life.”

Having the ability to adapt to circumstances—in a number of areas, together with your profession, your private life, and your well being—is a trait that’s additionally tied to higher life satisfaction and well-being.¹² “I received’t say issues received’t attempt to knock at your door—your psychological state, despair, even bodily well being,” Crawley says. However “you’ll want to develop with grace, you already know?”