The Key to Healthy Aging? Good Living

While traditional thinking encouraged us all to prepare for old age, the goal now is to embrace a holistic approach to health that prepares us for each new age that lies ahead: Eras of excelling at work, of raising children, of making new friends, of retiring to a dream home, of travel, and new hobbies. 

Age is just a number, and no one knows that better than Martha. Still as fearless and focused as ever, our founder is an iconic example of how cultural views on getting older have shifted. By adopting a policy of good living—strengthening your body, incorporating nutritious food, building up your brain, practicing mindfulness—you can lay the groundwork for decades of unforgettable adventures.

Ahead, you'll find our comprehensive guide to living well at any age: Tasty (and unexpectedly healthy) recipes, simple stretches, hobbies to keep your brain and body in tip-top shape, and more ways to make intentional choices for your health now—and in the future.

24 RD-Approved Recipes That Promote Healthy Aging

If it's true that you are what you eat, then a balanced diet is the key to a balanced life. The recipes on this list—quick lunches, weeknight dinners, holiday sides, and more—make it easy to put together a mouthwatering meal plan based on healthy fats, whole grains, and nutrient-rich vegetables.

10 Daily Habits of People Who Age Well

Daily behaviors can make a big difference in how successfully we age. From how to eat, sleep, move, socialize, and more, take inspiration from these daily habits to make aging gracefully as much a part of your routine as brushing your teeth or watering your plants.

9 Ways to Maintain Bone Health as You Age

You're only as strong as your weakest bones. And with more than 206 of them making up your skeleton, it's critical to keep even the smallest ones in tip-top shape. These science-based tips will help keep your body robust from the inside out.

Martha's 10 Best Tips for Healthy Aging

While we may not all end up on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 82, we can take inspiration from Martha's best tips for successful aging. These low-effort suggestions—drink green juice, try Pilates, pick up a new hobby—are accessible and effective ways to live the Martha life at any age.

10 Hobbies for Older Adults That Improve Brain and Body Health

The demands of work, child-raising, and school lessen as we age, leaving many adults with more leisure time than they've had since childhood. That makes this era the perfect time to pick up a new skill. From juggling to quilting, mindfulness to a second language, find your new favorite hobby on this comprehensive list.

Why Balance Is So Important as You Age—Plus 10 Ways to Boost It

Nearly 15 percent of Americans face balance issues as they age, opening them up to a host of risks (including dangerous falls). Here, experts recommend the best balance-boosting ideas, from high-intensity activities, like boxing and dancing, to gentle standing exercises.

10 Best Low-Impact Activities to Try at Any Age

Strengthening your joints and muscles doesn't have to mean taking up marathons or investing in exercise equipment. Low-impact activities allow you to support and condition your body without extreme stress or pain. From gardening and cleaning to playing with the kids and doing the laundry, see your daily routine in a new—and healthier—light.

6 Easy Ways to Practice Mindfulness at Any Age

While mindfulness may seem like a recent addition to physical and mental health routines, it's more important than ever in a world filled with social media notifications, text messages, and constant news alerts. These simple ways to disconnect and recenter yourself—like putting on your favorite song or noticing a moment that brings you joy—are easy to start (and to continue).

7 Simple Ways to Stimulate Your Brain as You Age

Keeping your brain stimulated doesn't just mean making sure you never miss Jeopardy—you can find nearly endless ways to keep your neurons firing into new, brain-boosting pathways. Medical experts weigh in on the specific activities (like calling a friend) and overall health advice (keeping your stress managed) that allow your mind to stay as active as your body.

12 Foods That Are Surprisingly Good for You as You Age

Even a kindergartener can recite a list of nutritious foods (though they may prefer not to eat them): Apples, broccoli, wheat bread, yogurt. But the fresh produce, nuts, beans, and dairy products on this list have health benefits you may not have learned about in school, like lowering your risk of dementia, improving your cholesterol, strengthening your bones, and providing essential antioxidants.

Life-Changing Lessons From Blue Zone Regions, Where People Often Live to Be 100

Hitting your 100th birthday seems like an unattainable goal for most people—but in certain parts of the world, it's uncommonly common. Take a lesson from the diets, lifestyle habits, social engagement, and stress-management techniques of Blue Zone residents, who are more likely to live past a century than people anywhere else on the globe.