I was going to give you a list of “to-dos” taken from the research I did for this issue, and I found a lot of good ones – but not even one that felt complete and completely right to me. So I fabricated my own, based on everything I’ve experienced and the loads of stuff I’ve read.

My Top Two Ways to Stay Physically Fit 

1. Strength Training – at least an hour a day at three levels of intensity:javascript:;
* Easily (heart rate stays below 120)
* Moderately (heart rate 120 to 150)
* Intensely (heart rate to max, about 170)
2. Flexibility and Core Training
* Yoga
* Pilates
* Mat stretches

My Top Four Ways to Stay Mentally Healthy 

1. Relax your ego; accept your aging.
2. Meditate every day for at least five minutes.
3. Make new friends constantly.
4. Do not retire. Work at least a few hours every day on a business or project that you believe has value.

Six More Ways to Avoid Aging-Related Illnesses

* Lose weight if you are overweight.
* Eat protein – even just a little – with every meal.
* Don’t stay seated for very long. Stand up and move around every 30 minutes.
* Drink six ounces of water an hour before bed and first thing in the morning.
* Keep your skin moisturized.
* Don’t smoke.

By Daniel Klein 

I read this for my book club (The Mules) in October and (very) briefly reviewed it then here on the blog. It’s part “Dummies’ Guide to Western Philosophy” and part a casually philosophical memoir about finding fulfillment in old age.

Daniel Klein’s thesis is that there is a time for everything in life, and old age is a time for slowing down, embracing the simple pleasures (like an Epicurean would), and preparing for the inevitable. He eschews the modern tendency to resist this natural stage of life by trying to look and act like you did and could when you were 20 and 30 years younger.

What I Liked About It: I liked the attempt to define Epicureanism and to bring in the ideas of other philosophers, which made for a more interesting read.

What I Didn’t Like: I agreed with Klein that a man my age should accept with equanimity the fact that he cannot do everything he once could and should learn to enjoy the many wonderful things that life still offers. But I did not buy his idea that to do the former, one needs to abandon ambition and the hard work it takes to achieve ambitious goals. The right balance in life – and I think this is especially true for people who have accomplished a great deal in their careers – is a mixture of both.

PostScript

This is a great 20-minute explanation of five common habits that will age you quickly. It’s an AI script. And the person might be an avatar. But it’s a very good and concise summary of the topic – the best I’ve ever found.