There’s something fascinating about people in their seventies who radiate energy and joy. You know the type—they smile easily, move with purpose, and seem more alive than folks half their age.
I’ve watched this in my own circles, and the pattern is clear: they’re not chasing youth, but they’ve figured out small daily habits that keep them fresh, curious, and engaged. It’s not about wrinkle creams or gym marathons. It’s about everyday choices that help them stay young at heart.
Let’s dig into the seven simple things I’ve noticed many of them do.
1. They move their bodies every day
Here’s the thing: it’s not about running marathons or bench-pressing their weight. Most seventy-somethings I admire just keep moving in ways they enjoy.
Some go for brisk walks around the neighborhood, others dance in the kitchen, and a few swear by gentle yoga or tai chi. The point is consistency, not intensity.
A neighbor of mine is seventy-four and takes a fifteen-minute walk after every meal. He says it helps with digestion and clears his mind. Watching him, you realize that movement doesn’t have to be a grand production—it can be woven into the day.
Another friend swears by gardening. Pulling weeds, bending down to plant flowers, pushing the wheelbarrow—it all adds up to functional exercise. He jokes that his roses are his “personal trainers.”
Ask yourself: could you add one simple movement ritual to your routine? Even a ten-minute stroll can work wonders for energy and mood.
2. They stay curious and keep learning
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.” That quote from Henry Ford always sticks with me.
The people in their seventies who feel young are often the ones still picking up books, taking classes, or dabbling in new hobbies. My sister’s friend learned how to play the ukulele at seventy-two. Another friend signed up for an online photography course.
One woman I know recently joined a community history group. She spends her afternoons learning about local landmarks and even gives little walking tours to visitors. You can see the excitement in her eyes when she talks about it—it’s contagious.
It doesn’t matter whether they master the skill or not. What matters is the spark of curiosity. Staying engaged with new ideas keeps the mind nimble—and there’s something incredibly refreshing about being a lifelong beginner.
If you’ve ever watched a seventy-something light up while explaining a new app they just figured out, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
3. They make time for laughter
I once asked an older gentleman I bumped into at the park what his secret was to looking so content. He chuckled and said, “I never take myself too seriously. Life’s too short to scowl all the time.”
He had a point. The seventy-year-olds who seem the most vibrant tend to laugh—a lot. They laugh at themselves, at silly TV shows, at jokes from the grandkids.
One couple I know hosts a weekly “comedy night” at home. They invite friends over, share a meal, and watch old stand-up specials together. They told me it started during the pandemic and just stuck. Not only does it give them something to look forward to, it keeps their social calendar alive.
Science backs it up too: laughter reduces stress hormones and boosts feel-good endorphins. But beyond biology, it’s just fun. A good belly laugh can take years off your spirit.
So maybe the real anti-aging serum isn’t bottled. It’s found in moments of joy that bubble up when you allow yourself to be playful.
4. They nurture friendships
If you’ve ever shared a meal with a group of friends in their seventies, you’ll notice something: the conversations aren’t rushed. They savor both the food and the company.
Strong social connections keep them feeling alive. They call their old school buddies, go to church groups, or simply meet neighbors for coffee. Even if they can’t get out much, many stay connected over the phone or video calls.
When my grandchildren visit, I see how joyfully my older friends light up. It’s as if those bonds give them an invisible kind of fuel.
One woman I know is part of a book club that has been meeting for over thirty years. The books are almost an afterthought—it’s the laughter, the sharing, and the support that matter most.
The takeaway? Friendships aren’t just “nice to have.” They’re life-sustaining. And the people in their seventies who invest in them reap the rewards every single day.
5. They spend time in nature
I’ve mentioned this in a previous post, but there’s something magical about how nature resets the soul.
Many people in their seventies take full advantage of it. They potter around in their gardens, walk through local parks, or simply sit on the porch and watch the birds. It’s grounding and energizing at the same time.
I see it myself when I’m out with my grandchildren at the park. The fresh air, the trees, the open sky—it somehow puts worries in perspective.
One friend says she starts every morning by standing barefoot on the grass while sipping her coffee. “It makes me feel like a kid again,” she told me. And honestly, watching her do it, I could see why.
Even a few minutes outdoors can be enough to feel renewed. And if you’re lucky, you also get that little boost of vitamin D.
6. They give themselves small pleasures
Here’s a question: when was the last time you let yourself enjoy something just because it delighted you?
The youthful seventy-year-olds I know indulge in tiny joys daily. A piece of good chocolate, a crossword puzzle, a favorite radio program, or a warm bath before bed.
One friend has a ritual of brewing loose-leaf tea every morning. He says the act of slowing down to watch the leaves unfurl makes him feel more connected to life.
Another woman I know still writes letters by hand, complete with pressed flowers tucked inside. She says it makes her feel more present and thoughtful—and she loves knowing the recipient gets a little surprise in the mail.
It’s not about extravagance. It’s about savoring the small things. These moments become little anchors of joy sprinkled throughout the day.
In a world that often pushes us to chase “bigger and better,” there’s something deeply refreshing about enjoying life’s quieter pleasures.
7. They keep a sense of purpose
The people who seem the most energized in their seventies usually have something to look forward to. It might be volunteering, mentoring, or simply tending a vegetable garden.
Purpose doesn’t have to mean a grand mission. It can be as simple as caring for a pet, writing letters to loved ones, or cooking Sunday dinner for the family.
I know a man who started writing his memoirs at seventy-one. Not to publish, just to leave behind stories for his grandchildren. Every morning, he wakes up with enthusiasm because he knows exactly what he’s going to do.
Another friend volunteers at the local animal shelter. She says feeding the cats and walking the dogs gives her a reason to get up, move around, and connect with others.
Purpose keeps the heart youthful. It’s what gets you out of bed with a smile, even on days when your knees ache or the weather is gray.
Final thoughts
Here’s the truth: feeling young at heart isn’t about fighting time. It’s about filling your days with movement, curiosity, laughter, connection, nature, pleasure, and purpose.
The people in their seventies who do these things aren’t trying to be younger—they’re simply living fully right where they are.
So maybe the better question isn’t “How do I stay young?” but rather, “What can I do today that makes me feel alive?”
Because at any age, that’s what truly keeps the heart young.
