Staying healthy is one of the biggest priorities for most women over 60, including myself. We all want to experience healthy aging so that we can enjoy everything that life has to offer in the decades ahead.

Unfortunately, there is so much conflicting information out there that it is sometimes difficult what to do. Is calcium good or bad? Is there such a thing as “too much” exercise? Should we take supplements? It’s enough to make your head spin!

So, to help cut through the clutter, I asked our Sixty and Me community members what they do to stay healthy. Their responses, as always, were candid and, in some cases, surprising. Many of the women in our community have bounced back from cancer or another serious illness – in part because of their determination, exercise habits and nutritional choices.

Here’s What the Community Has to Say About Healthy Aging

As I read through everyone’s responses, it became clear to me just how multifaceted a topic “health after 60” is. According to our community members, staying healthy after 60 is a matter of “starting” some things and “stopping” others.

Obviously, none of the information here should be considered medical advice. But, I hope that the hard-earned wisdom of the women in our community will give you plenty to discuss with your doctor on your next visit.

Here are 9 things that the women in our community recommend you say “yes” to in order to improve your health after 60:

Cultivate a Positive Attitude

“Thinking positive” has more than just mental health benefits. When we feel positive, we are more likely to embrace other healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercise. So, follow our community’s advice and “Think positive, while cultivating gratitude!”

Have Regular Medical Checkups

There is an old saying that I love: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is definitely true when it comes to staying healthy after 60. Many women in the community have horror stories to tell about friends who stayed away from the doctor (or dentist for that matter) for too long and had to pay the consequences later.

Don’t miss your regular doctor’s visits! Knowledge can be a scary thing, but, if you do have an illness, it’s much better to catch it early.

Start Smiling and Laughing

There is more truth than you might think to the old saying “laughter is the best medicine.” The benefits of laughter for helping patients to recover from illness are well documented. The power of laughter as a preventative tool is less well established, but, many women in the community swear by it. At the very least, laughter may help to keep you in a positive frame of mind, which may lead to positive lifestyle choices.

So, why not set aside one night a week to watch a comedy with your grandkids or a group of close friends. A little laughter will be good for all of you!

Keep Walking

In today’s modern world, most of us spend hours a day sitting behind a desk or watching TV. Is it any surprise that we have so many health problems?

If there is one thing that you could do to improve your health, it is probably this – walk more! Walking 30 minutes a day is a simple and effective way to improve your health at any age. Check out this great illustrated video from Dr. Mike Evans, preventative health specialist on why walking is a game-changer for your health!

Climb Stairs

We live in a convenience culture. Sometimes it seems like we are on a mission to automate every aspect of our lives. Can you remember a time when we had to “roll down” the car window and elevators in 4-story buildings were rare?

Maybe it’s time to do things the old fashioned way. Maybe it’s time to take the stairs! After all, climbing stairs is great exercise – it burns calories and boosts your cardiovascular endurance. If you need a little extra motivation, consider getting a Fitbit to track your steps and the number of flights of stairs that you climb every day.

Drink More Water

Nothing could be simpler than drinking water, but, with our busy schedules, it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated. One morning ritual that I have adopted is to start the day with a glass of water and lemon juice. I find that it wakes me up as well as coffee and without the inevitable drop in energy later in the day.

If you’re feeling sluggish, start with the basics. Get plenty of water. Not only is it good for your health, but, it’s also a natural skin care technique.

Eat More Veggies

Everyone knows that eating more vegetables is a good thing. So, why do so few of us follow this simple advice? Maybe we should look at eating vegetables as an adventure. For example, I love the experience of going to my local farmers market to buy fresh produce. There is something about the smell of the fields and the hustle and bustle of the people that gets me motivated. Is there a farm or farmers market near your home? Why not make shopping there a weekly ritual?

Another option is to see eating more vegetables as a culinary challenge. If you love to cook, why not make it your mission to learn one new vegetarian dish per week. There are plenty of resources available, including the vegetarian section of allrecipes.com.

Drink Green Smoothies

When my son and his wife visited Bali for two months, they decided to start each morning with a green smoothie. Ok, they’re not 60, but, they did swear by the power of these powerful cocktails. If you feel like you are too busy to cook, smoothies can be a great backup option. To help you get inspired, here are some fabulously simple green smoothie recipes.

Show Love and Nurture Friendships

If humans were simple machines, getting enough exercise and eating the right food would be enough to keep us in perfect health. Fortunately, we’re not simple machines and, as a result, social interaction is massively important to our health.

Even the simple act of giving and receiving a hug can release powerful chemicals that help to keep our emotions in balance. So, even if you live by yourself – actually, especially if you live by yourself – make it a point to socialize with friends and family as much as possible.

Achieving healthy aging doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. It is a matter of taking simple steps every day to eat better, move more and socialize better. What one simple step will you take today?

What do you think? How do you stay healthy and active as a woman over 60? What one thing do you recommend other women say “yes” to in order to improve their health after 60? Please add your thoughts in the comments section below.

Here’s a short video that I recorded on the topic of healthy aging.