When I was little, my dad and I would go out to grab burgers or catch a movie, and people would assume we were siblings.
The cashier would crack a joke about our “bro night,” then do a double-take once they realized he was pushing 60.
Growing up, I assumed all dads looked and acted this way — full of energy, open to new ideas, and seemingly oblivious to the concept of aging.
It wasn’t until middle school that I noticed a difference.
My friends’ dads complained about “getting older,” while mine was still beating me at basketball and staying up late reading science articles. Over the years, I’ve come to see that he’s not a genetic anomaly or secretly hoarding anti-aging potions.
He’s just been quietly doing a few key things, day after day, that keep him youthful in body and spirit.
In truth, he’s never said, “Here are my top five secrets.” He’d rather shrug it off and say, “I’m just enjoying life.” But from watching him closely, I’ve identified five habits that make him stand out.
Alongside them, there’s also a guiding mindset—a willingness to question what it even means to “act your age.”
The confusion is real
Whenever I bring my dad along to meet new people, the same scene tends to unfold.
They greet us as if we’re two brothers, making casual conversation about sports or music, then look surprised when I say, “Actually, he’s my father.”
They’ll apologize, and he’ll laugh it off without missing a beat.
One time at a coffee shop, the barista simply couldn’t believe it — she assumed we were old college friends. He told me later it amused him, but he doesn’t let it go to his head.
He’s aware time is moving on, but he doesn’t buy into the idea that turning 50 or 60 means giving up on fun.
When I asked if he ever felt weird about people mistaking him for my older brother, he said, “Not really. I’m grateful I can keep up with you.
It’s your generation that needs to catch up!” That positivity shows up in everything he does.
A quick note on mindset
Before we get to his five habits, there’s a unifying principle my dad lives by: don’t let a number define you.
That doesn’t mean denying reality or acting like a teenager in a midlife crisis.
He’s just made a choice not to adopt the usual script that says “you’re over 50, so slow down.” Instead, he’s always looking for new hobbies, forging fresh friendships, and staying curious about the world.
He sees aging as a natural part of life — but not a reason to shrink.
This might remind you of certain mindfulness approaches, which emphasize staying in tune with your body while refusing to let fear or convention trap you.
If you’re curious about integrating that kind of mindful openness in your own life, consider checking out Rudá Iandê’s “Free Your Mind” masterclass on living with resilience and purpose.
A lot of what my dad does aligns with those teachings: staying adaptable, nurturing healthy habits, and enjoying each stage of life.
1. He invests in daily movement (without obsessing)
When people think of someone “staying young,” they often imagine intense workout regimens. But my dad’s exercise routine is more about consistency than brute force.
He’ll power-walk in the morning, do a few push-ups or squats, and maybe stretch for ten minutes before bed. He’s tried cycling, light jogging, and even dancing when the mood strikes.
The secret isn’t extreme discipline — it’s the fact he’s done some form of movement almost every day for decades.
He jokes that if he sits still too long, he feels older immediately.
So he keeps moving.
Rather than treat exercise like a chore or a punishing regime, he sees it as a release — time to let his mind wander, soak up fresh air, and connect with his body.
Science backs him up: studies show that even moderate activity can lower blood pressure, improve mental health, and slow certain aging markers.
He’ll never brag about big lifts or marathon times, but he does outlast me in a pick-up game without breaking a sweat.
2. He never stops learning
My dad is perpetually curious. He’ll read articles on astronomy, sign up for online courses about coding, and watch documentaries on everything from ancient civilizations to modern art.
He taught himself how to fix computers in his 50s just because he wanted to help neighbors with their tech troubles.
It reminds me of an Einstein quote: “Once you stop learning, you start dying.”
By constantly challenging his mind, my dad keeps his brain flexible and young. It also means he’s never out of the loop — he’s surprisingly up to date on pop culture and new innovations, which sometimes stuns my friends.
He’s not aiming to be a world expert on any one topic; he just loves the spark of exploration.
And in an age where many older adults feel overwhelmed by technological shifts, he embraces them.
That curiosity factor seems to keep him mentally agile, which translates to a sense of youthfulness in his daily life.
3. He laughs — often, and with others
If you spend five minutes around my dad, you’ll hear at least one joke or witty comment.
He laughs easily, whether he’s stuck in traffic or faced with a plumbing mishap in the house.
I’ve seen him turn a tense situation into something light-hearted with just a few words.
It might sound trivial, but laughter is one of the best stress-relievers out there.
Research suggests it releases endorphins, helps the cardiovascular system, and can even lessen physical pain. My dad’s found a way to build micro-moments of joy into almost every day.
When life throws him a curveball, he’s quicker to chuckle than to complain. That attitude rubs off on people around him.
He’s also not afraid to be silly, which I suspect keeps him from falling into that “grumpy older man” stereotype. He’ll crack up at a meme, watch goofy prank videos, or dance to a random pop song just because it makes him laugh. Humor, for him, is fuel.
4. He invests deeply in relationships
Another huge factor in his youthful aura is his social life.
My dad has maintained old friendships from high school, stayed in touch with co-workers from past jobs, and formed new circles in the community where he lives now.
He invests time in real conversations, not just quick social media exchanges.
He’ll pick up the phone to call a friend who’s going through a rough patch, or invite neighbors over for a casual barbecue.
It’s not about throwing big parties or being the life of the crowd — he’s actually quite chill. But he’s consistent in showing people that he cares.
If you look at research on longevity, strong social ties often come up as a key predictor of a long, healthy life.
He also values quality time with family. He never misses a chance to grab lunch with me and ask about my world. If I’m stressed, he listens.
If I’m excited, he cheers me on. That sense of connectedness seems to keep his spirit bright, no matter what else is happening.
5. He manages stress instead of ignoring it
Don’t get me wrong — my dad isn’t some zen master who never feels tension.
He deals with stressful moments just like anyone else.
The difference is he’s proactive about handling them. For example, if there’s conflict at work, he’ll take a breather, go for a walk, or talk it through with a close confidant right away. He doesn’t let resentments fester or problems snowball.
He’s also explored various techniques over the years:
Breathing exercises, short meditations, even journaling.
Most recently, he’s experimenting with mindful gratitude — waking up and listing a few things he’s thankful for. It might sound cliché, but he swears it lowers his baseline stress and helps him deal with everyday challenges.
Stress is known to accelerate aging on multiple levels — biologically, emotionally, mentally. By tackling it head-on, my dad frees himself to bounce back faster.
When something really rattles him, he tries to glean a lesson, dust himself off, and move forward.
That resilience keeps him from getting stuck in a negative loop, which in turn preserves his energy.
Pulling it all together
We’ve all seen those magazine headlines promising “ten secrets to reverse aging” or “the miracle food that keeps you young.”
My dad’s version is far simpler and more realistic.
No fancy diets, no obscure supplements. Just a steady commitment to move daily, keep learning, spread laughter, nurture relationships, and handle stress in a healthy way.
That said, it’s not just the habits themselves — it’s the mindset behind them. He believes life is still full of possibilities, no matter how many birthdays he’s had.
He never attaches the word “old” to himself or uses phrases like “over the hill.”
Along the way, I’ve tried to adopt some of his practices.
I’ll admit, it’s easier said than done — life can be chaotic, and old habits die hard. But the times when I do take a page from his book, I feel lighter, more focused, and less weighed down by stress.
If you’re looking for a deeper dive into this kind of holistic, open-minded approach, check out “Free Your Mind” masterclass from modern shaman Rudá Iandê on mindful living.
It pairs well with what my dad demonstrates in his day-to-day: you don’t have to let the world define your path. You can define it yourself, through small but impactful choices.
So yes, it’s still weird when restaurant hosts think my father is my older brother.
But at this point, I just take it as proof that he’s nailed the formula — he’s living life in a way that keeps him healthy, curious, and fully engaged.
