- Tension: Many people assume that aging inevitably leads to a decline in energy and vitality, leaving them feeling resigned to slowing down.
- Noise: Society often portrays seniors as frail or inactive, overlooking the daily habits that contribute to sustained energy and enthusiasm in later years.
- Direct Message: By adopting specific, underrated habits, individuals over 70 can maintain high energy levels and continue to lead vibrant, fulfilling lives.
This article follows the Direct Message methodology, designed to cut through the noise and reveal the deeper truths behind the stories we live.
Staying energetic well into our 70s and beyond isn’t just a matter of good genes or luck. It’s often the result of subtle daily choices and habits that keep both the body and mind in a state of continuous growth.
I’ve noticed this firsthand when chatting with older folks who move around like they’re half their age. They’re not all super-athletes, and they’re definitely not chugging green smoothies every second of the day.
But they do have a set of routines that keep their spark alive.
Here at DM News, I love exploring the “why” behind human behavior—what drives us, what we can learn from those who seem to defy the odds, and how we can incorporate these lessons into our own lives.
Below, I’ll share eight underrated habits I’ve observed that help people over 70 remain brimming with energy.
Let’s dive in.
1. They keep moving
I’ve met quite a few older adults who seem to defy time by simply staying on the move.
Whether it’s morning walks, gardening, or even light stretches during commercial breaks, they rarely allow themselves to sit idle for too long.
From a psychological standpoint, a body in motion stays in motion—this notion is often backed by research pointing to improved cardiovascular health, better mood, and enhanced mental clarity for those who remain active.
Even something as simple as a daily walk around the block can make a huge difference over the decades.
My grandma’s neighbor was 78 and insisted on mowing his own lawn twice a week. At first, I thought it was purely about saving a few bucks on a landscaping service, but over time, I realized it was his “secret sauce.”
He would finish the task feeling accomplished, sweat a little, and then settle down on his porch with a content smile. That consistent physical activity kept him vibrant and upbeat long after his peers had slowed down.
2. They never stop learning
I’ve always been fascinated by older adults who jump headfirst into new hobbies—whether it’s picking up a musical instrument at 75 or learning to code at 72.
It sounds wild, but it happens more often than you’d think. This thirst for knowledge is a massive energy booster.
Continuous learning activates our brain in ways that keep it sharp. As Dale Carnegie once said, “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.”
While he was talking about success in a broader sense, I think the principle applies to staying engaged with life in our later years too.
If you find joy in discovering new ideas, you’ll naturally keep your cognitive gears turning.
Plus, when you’re learning, you’re focusing on possibilities rather than limitations. And I believe that mindset alone can help us remain flexible, curious, and alive.
3. They prioritize meaningful connections
Studies have repeatedly shown that a strong social circle helps improve emotional health and longevity.
There’s a famous Harvard study on adult development that points out how quality relationships not only protect our bodies but also our brains.
It’s easy to assume that energetic older folks are extroverted social butterflies. But a lot of them are actually thoughtful about whom they spend time with.
They keep in touch with close friends, schedule regular meetups, and take time to connect with younger family members.
I once spoke to an older coworker (back in my days as a digital marketer) who said his number one piece of advice for staying young was to “genuinely care about others.”
It sounded simple, yet it was a huge piece of wisdom.
Personally, when I’m around my older relatives who keep an active social life, I notice they’re the ones who laugh the loudest at family gatherings.
They’re genuinely curious about everyone else’s day. They listen intently, ask questions, and crack jokes. All that positive interaction, in my opinion, does wonders for keeping their spirits high.
4. They have a sense of purpose
Ever notice that some retirees end up feeling lost after leaving their careers, while others find new missions to keep them going?
The difference often lies in having a sense of purpose. Purpose can be anything from volunteering at a local community center to mentoring young entrepreneurs or writing a personal blog to share life experiences.
As Greg McKeown once noted in Essentialism, ‘If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.’
For many over-70 folks, prioritizing a purposeful life might mean focusing on a cause that resonates with them or simply being the go-to person in their family for wisdom and support.
I’ve mentioned this before but it bears repeating: purpose creates an internal drive that helps us wake up each morning with excitement. It provides a reason to keep learning, socializing, and staying active.
For older adults, purpose transcends the typical confines of a job. It’s about putting their experience and knowledge to use in a way that feels meaningful—even if no paycheck is attached.
5. They practice adaptable stress management
Life doesn’t get magically easier after 70. In fact, health worries, family changes, and financial considerations can pile on.
Yet, older adults who remain energized typically have go-to strategies to deal with stress. Some pray or meditate, others keep a gratitude journal, and a few I’ve met actually use quick breathing exercises to center themselves.
Stress is more than just a mental burden; it can sap your energy levels and hurt your physical health if left unchecked.
If I look back at my previous life in digital marketing—a field notorious for tight deadlines and high stakes—I can see parallels in how people of all ages can burn out without proper self-care.
A friend’s grandfather, who was a retired teacher, once told me that “a good laugh beats a bottle of pills any day.” It’s a cheeky saying, but it speaks to how laughter or lightheartedness can release tension.
And people who hold onto their youthful spark often turn to healthy coping mechanisms instead of letting negative emotions fester.
6. They embrace new experiences
It’s no coincidence that energetic individuals over 70 are often the ones who still look forward to new restaurants, tech gadgets, or travel destinations.
Their willingness to explore keeps them mentally flexible. They don’t dismiss trends as “for the younger generation.” Instead, they dip their toes into fresh waters.
I remember visiting a 72-year-old uncle who had just purchased a new smart speaker for his living room. He was beyond thrilled to show me how he could control the lights with a simple voice command.
Was it perfect? No, he occasionally told the speaker to “turn on the TV” when he meant the lights, but that never dampened his enthusiasm.
That sense of discovery is contagious and keeps them feeling part of the modern world rather than alienated from it.
7. They value sleep like gold
Staying up late might seem hip, but people with lasting energy levels tend to understand the importance of proper rest.
Good sleep is a cornerstone habit that supports memory, mood, and overall physical vitality at any age—especially past 70.
A neighbor of mine is 74 and religiously heads to bed at the same time each night. She also avoids doom-scrolling on her phone too close to bedtime (despite being fairly tech-savvy for her age).
Her reasoning is simple: “If I don’t get enough rest, how am I going to enjoy tomorrow?” She’s up early for light stretches, enjoys her coffee, and you can feel her pep for hours on end.
Experts often highlight that stable sleep routines can regulate hormones, reduce stress, and keep the immune system strong.
So while it’s not glamorous advice, it’s definitely a habit that’s underrated but highly effective in maintaining high energy levels as the years roll by.
8. They maintain a positive perspective
Finally, a key habit of energetic people over 70 is their ability to see the glass as half-full. Now, I’m not suggesting they’re naïve about life’s difficulties.
If anything, they’ve seen more setbacks than most of us. They’ve weathered storms, lost loved ones, faced health scares, and had their fair share of tough days.
But along the way, they learned to look for silver linings. They laugh at themselves, find small moments of joy, and pick themselves up when things go wrong.
As Tim Ferriss says in The 4-Hour Workweek, “Focus on being productive instead of busy.” A similar principle can be applied to mindset: focus on what’s working instead of ruminating on what isn’t.
Psychologically, having a positive outlook is linked to lower levels of stress and higher overall life satisfaction. And from what I’ve observed, positivity isn’t just a temperament—it’s a skill built over time.
This aligns with many wellness experts who emphasize that a mindset shift can be practiced daily. In other words, positivity can become a habit, just like brushing your teeth.
Putting it all together
If you take a moment to chat with someone in their 70s who still exudes youthful energy, you’ll likely see more than a few of these habits at play.
They might not call them “habits” per se, but these routines form the backbone of a vibrant and fulfilling life.
It’s never too early—or too late—to adopt these practices. Whether you’re 25 or 75, simple shifts in movement, learning, relationships, purpose, stress management, experimentation, sleep, and positivity can make a world of difference in how you feel every day.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned here at DM News, it’s that small steps can lead to big changes over a lifetime.
Ultimately, staying energetic well into your 70s isn’t about chasing the fountain of youth. It’s about caring for your body and mind in ways that keep your spark alive.
And perhaps the best part? These are all habits we can start embracing right now—no matter our current age, schedule, or ability level.
Here’s to growing older with more vitality, curiosity, and purpose than ever before. May we all keep moving, keep learning, and keep finding joy in every phase of life.
