A few years away from 50, I’ve learned that staying young at heart has far less to do with age and everything to do with curiosity, mindset, and how open you remain to life. I try my hardest to stay curious, live with an open heart, and approach each season of midlife with intention, joy, and a positive attitude.
This list is an idea set I genuinely try to live by. It is filled with simple, everyday ways to feel vibrant, energized, and emotionally young, no matter the number on the calendar.
If you’re searching for ways to stay young at heart after 40, embrace healthy aging, cultivate a youthful mindset, and create a life filled with curiosity, connection, and purpose, then use these ideas to inspire you to keep growing, evolving, and fully enjoying this stage of life.
50 Ways to Stay Young at Heart
- Laugh at yourself often
- Walk outside every day, even briefly
- Learn something new just for fun
- Keep a playlist that makes you dance
- Say yes to spontaneous plans
- Play a game instead of scrolling
- Ask curious questions
- Wear something just because it delights you
- Stay physically playful (stretch, dance, swim)
- Let yourself daydream
- Maintain friendships across generations
- Read fiction regularly
- Try a hobby you’re “bad” at
- Travel differently (and yes, new routes count)
- Keep a sense of wonder about ordinary things
- Eat foods that make you feel alive
- Get sunlight early in the day
- Take photos of moments, not just milestones
- Keep your sense of humor flexible
- Forgive faster (including yourself)
- Change your routine once in a while
- Stay open to changing your mind
- Listen to music from new artists
- Move your body in ways that feel joyful
- Keep plants or care for something living
- Celebrate small wins
- Let go of needing to be “right”
- Do something creative weekly
- Spend time with people who energize you
- Protect your sleep like it matters (because it does)
- Express gratitude out loud
- Be silly on purpose
- Learn modern slang (your kids will thank you)
- Keep a beginner’s mindset
- Find beauty in change
- Let curiosity override fear
- Stay socially connected, even when it’s inconvenient
- Move toward things that excite you
- Let go of things that drain you
- Keep a future-focused vision, not a nostalgic one
- Practice optimism without denial
- Take care of your body as an ally, not a project
- Stay emotionally honest
- Romanticize small moments
- Make plans you’re excited about
- Stay playful with your identity
- Believe reinvention is always possible
- Choose joy without waiting for permission
- Keep your inner dialogue kind
- Remember: youth is a state of engagement, not a number
Tips for Living Young at Heart
Staying young at heart isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about choosing a few intentional habits that support a positive mindset and healthy aging over time. Start small by focusing on daily movement, meaningful connections, and moments that spark curiosity or joy.
Protect your energy, say no to what drains you, and make space for activities that make you feel mentally and emotionally alive. A youthful spirit in midlife is built through consistency, not perfection. Show up for your life with optimism, openness, and a willingness to keep learning as you grow.
If there’s one thing I’ve come to believe as I move closer to 50, it’s that staying young at heart is a choice we make every day. A curious mind, an open heart, and a commitment to living fully matter far more than age itself.
This list isn’t about chasing youth! It’s about embracing life, cultivating joy, and creating positive experiences that support mental health, emotional well-being, and a vibrant midlife.
No matter where you are in your 40s or beyond, it’s never too late to stay engaged, stay hopeful, and continue becoming the best version of yourself.