7 Secrets to a Happy Old Age, Backed by Science

Most people want to know the secret to longevity. However, what is the point of living a long life if it isn't happy? In Arthur Brooks' most recent column for Atlantic's "How to Build a Life," the New York Times bestselling author claims to know the seven secrets to living to a happy old age. 

Brooks presents data that happiness tends to decline throughout young adulthood and middle age, bottoming out at about age 50. "After that, it heads back up again into one's mid-60s. Then something strange happens. Older people split into two groups as they get old: those getting much happier, and those getting much unhappier," he says. 

Similar to saving money, Brooks maintains that people have a "Happiness 401(k)" that we "invest in when we are young, and that we get to enjoy when we are old. And just as financial planners advise their clients to engage in specific behaviors—make your saving automatic; think twice before buying that boat—we can all teach ourselves to do some very specific things at any age to make our last decades much, much happier," he writes. 

According to an ongoing Harvard study, which involved tracking happiness over several decades, two researchers showed in 2001 that there are seven factors that we can control that will help ensure happiness in our older years. 

The first factor you can control is smoking. "Don't smoke—or if you already smoke, quit now. You might not succeed on your first try, but the earlier you start the quitting process, the more smoke-free years you can invest in your happiness account," writes Brooks.

Number two? Watch your drinking, says Brooks. "Alcohol abuse is strongly correlated with smoking in the Harvard study, but plenty of other research shows that even by itself, it is one of the most powerful predictors of winding up sad-sick," he writes. "If you have any indication of problem drinking in your life, get help now. If you have drinking problems in your family, do not take your chances: Keep that switch turned off. Although forgoing alcohol can be difficult, you'll never be sorry you made this decision."

Brooks also says that maintaining a healthy body weight is key. "Eat a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and moderate serving sizes, but avoid yo-yo diets or intense restrictions that you can't maintain over the long run," he writes.

He also encourages exercise. "Prioritize movement in your life by scheduling time for it every day and sticking to it. Arguably the single best, time-tested way to do this is by walking daily," says Brookks.

Brooks also encourages practicing your coping mechanisms while you are still young. "The earlier you can find healthy ways to deal with life's inevitable distresses, the more prepared you'll be if ill luck strikes in your 80s. This means working consciously—perhaps with assistance from spiritual practices or even therapy—to avoid excessive rumination, unhealthy emotional reactions, or avoidance behavior," he says. 

"Keep learning," Brooks advises. "More education leads to a more active mind in old age, and that means a longer, happier life. That doesn't mean that you need to go to Harvard; you simply need to engage in lifelong, purposive learning. For example, that can mean reading serious nonfiction as part of a routine to learn more about new subjects."

Do the work to cultivate stable, long-term relationships now, Brooks concludes. "For most people, this includes a steady marriage, but other relationships with family, friends, and partners can fit in this category as well. The point is to find people with whom you can grow, whom you can count on, no matter what comes your way.