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10 Essential Life Hacks for Women Over 60

By Joanie Marx April 09, 2025 Lifestyle

When was the last time you engaged in a life hack? For me, I didn’t even know what that term meant until a friend asked me about the life hacks concept a couple of years ago. The more I read about it the more intrigued I was.

Much to my surprise, it turns out I had been engaged in life hacks for a good portion of my adult life. I just didn’t refer to many things I did to make my life better with that term.

So, what exactly does “life hack” even mean? And how can your awareness of life hacks positively improve your sense of joy, fulfilment, and overall health and well-being?

To answer these questions, we are starting an exclusive new series for Sixty and Me readers, titled “Life Hacks for Women Over 60.”

What Is a Life Hack?

A life hack typically refers to a strategy, technique, or unique but simple change that can significantly improve your personal and professional life, making it more efficient, enjoyable, or manageable.

Life hacks can maximize your well-being, health, and happiness while minimizing stress, discomfort, or unnecessary complications.

Given the unique challenges and opportunities that often come with being a woman over 60, life hacks can take on a deeper meaning for us at this stage than at earlier times in our lives. In this context, a life hack for you could encompass a wide range of activities or adjustments, such as:

  • Health Optimization: Finding simpler or more effective ways to maintain your physical and mental health, such as easy exercise routines, diet changes, or mindfulness practices.
  • Social Engagement: Utilizing technology or community resources to stay connected with friends and family or to make new social connections.
  • Lifestyle Adjustments: Modifying your home environment for more comfort and safety or adopting self-love routines that enhance the quality of your life.
  • Time Management: Streamlining daily tasks or obligations to create more time for leisure, hobbies, or relaxation.
  • Learning & Growth: Adopting new learning methods or exploring hobbies that are both mentally stimulating, emotionally uplifting, and enjoyable.
  • Financial Simplicity: Implementing straightforward financial strategies for budgeting, investing, or saving to ensure financial stability and ease of managing your finances.

10 Life Hacks for a Vibrant Life

Here are 10 simple yet effective life hacks that can improve your overall well-being, increase your happiness, and improve the quality of your life:

Create Self-Love and Self-Care Rituals

Self-love and self-care practices will vary for each person, but activities such as meditation, reading, listening to music, massages, time in nature, laughing more, or taking spa days at home and elsewhere are essential go-to life hacks. These activities can reduce stress and deliver measurable benefits to your emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

Embrace Technology

Technology is a powerful tool for staying connected with people, managing health, and pursuing interests. Learning to use smartphones, social media, and various apps can enhance communication and provide access to a wealth of information and entertainment.

Prioritize Physical Activity

Regular exercise tailored to your ability and health status can significantly improve physical and mental health. Activities like walking, yoga, swimming, or gentle strength training can maintain mobility, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and boost mood.

Read How to Restart Your Walking Habit.

Nurture Social Connections

Actively maintain and build social connections by joining clubs, groups, or classes online and offline that align with your interests. Strong social ties are crucial for emotional support and mental health.

Mindful Eating

Proper nutrition is key to managing your emotional, mental, and physical health. Mindful eating is also excellent for maintaining your energy levels and preventing age-related health challenges.

Lifelong Learning

Keep the brain active and engaged by learning new skills or hobbies. Whether it’s a new language, musical instrument, or artistic craft, lifelong learning keeps your mind sharp and is a great source of joy.

Volunteer

Volunteering can be a fulfilling way to give back, connect with others, and find purpose. It’s also a great way to stay active and engaged in your community.

Streamline and Organize

Decluttering and organizing your living space leads to a more manageable and stress-free environment. It can also be a cathartic process, bringing a sense of calm, emotional balance, and order.

Financial Planning

Financial security can bring peace of mind and stability. Stay on top of financial health by setting a budget, planning for the future, and perhaps consulting with a financial advisor.

Adopt a Growth Mindset

Cultivating a growth mindset and maintaining a positive attitude is essential to your overall happiness. Let go of a fixed mindset and instead, embrace optimism and explore new ways to enjoy everyday life.

The Essence of a Life Hack

Implementing these life hacks will come down to making sure the ones you are drawn to are aligned with your values, needs, and desires without requiring significant overhauls or investments.

Remember, the essence of a life hack is found in its ability to create more fulfilling experiences, not make your life busier or overwhelming.

Everyone will resonate with and be drawn to different life hacks. Ultimately, a life hack is about enjoying life to the fullest by being, doing, and experiencing what your heart desires after 60.

I invite you to join me in the video, where I will share additional insights on hacks along with journal prompts to help you integrate what you’re learning.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What are some life hacks you have found useful and helped improve an important area of your life?

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Cheryl

I love the life hacks! Even though we think we know EVERYTHING, it’s always great to receive the information through our community.

I am 68, soon to be 69, and I’ve never felt so old. I’ve isolated myself this winte due to a number of things. No more! I have joined the Y and have hired a fitness coach. Even with my small budget I made it work. I figure that after food, this is the most important expenditure for me.

My plan is to get stronger and more flexible. I want to travel! So, I will need that strength!!!

In 2007 I went to China. It was the absolute best trip of my lifetime, so far. When we went to the Great Wall, I couldn’t climb all of the steps that my travel buddies did. I learned later that arthritis was starting to impede my right hip. No wonder it hurt so much…and I missed out! We were at a remote part of the Great Wall. I don’t think I’ll have that chance again. You never know, though.

Thank you for this fabulous group!

Cheryl

Joanie Marx

Yes having travel goals does bring into focus our physical abilities and limitations.
I find that I exercise more when I have a trip on the horizon! Keep up with what you can do and over time you will be able to do more

Ann Mary

Louise you sound very fortunate to have a lovely man in your life in your eighties. Because I’m in my early 70s I’m unable to give you a life hack as you requested but I’m sure you’ll hear from others in this wonderful group.

I do want to share my life hack around travel and limited finances. I LOVE to travel but it’s a challenge for me do so due to my fixed income. So I decided to open a completely separate bank account at another bank, plus got a promotional credit card with it to collect airline points. That account and credit card is only used for travel.

So where does the money come from? I’m fortunate to be physically capable of pet sitting for friends and family and cleaning the homes of a couple of friends who both were looking for a house cleaner. I only do one house per week for about 2-3 hours.

Since setting up that bank account, I’ve disciplined myself to have every dollar earned go into that account. It’s fun to see the balance grow and I always know exactly what I can afford to do!

I know this might not work for everyone but I hope it gives help birth ideas on how to enjoy life on a fixed income. Cheers lovely Sixty & Me friends!

Marie Burns

As an experienced pet sitter, you may be interested in http://www.TrustedHousesitters.com where people are looking for a pet sitter to stay at their home (free of charge). It’s a great way to cut overnight stay travel costs and meet wonderful people and pets in the process!

Lorna Circiello

Being resourceful is a great tool in our box! I love life and want to make it my mission!

Joanie Marx

Wow –never heard of this before. Great idea.
My best,
Joanie Marx

Joanie Marx

Great plan!
My best
Joanie Marx

Louise

More from Louise. What are other 80+ women enjoying about life that goes over and beyond those life hacks that you mentioned? I seem to enjoy a quieter life, without a lot of social interaction. I do have a lovely man friend who is 87 and has more energy than I have and I would like to be able to keep up with him. I lost my dog whom I miss but do not intend to get another. I still have a cat who is 16. I don’t enjoy cleaning the litter box and all the fur anymore. I would like to get back into the rich spiritual life I had as a child and a younger woman. I never had anyone in my family reach my age, 82, so I have no one to gather inspiration from. I am a pioneer and want to enjoy what’s left of my golden years. I got jipped of many gold in years with my husband as he fell into Alzheimer’s and we had rough times. Hey any of you 80 plusers, let me know what you think!

Joanie Marx

The best is yet to be is my point of biew.
All my best,

Joanie Marx

Louise

I am 82, way over 60 and me agers. I have done those life hacks in my sixties and seventies: volunteering, learning an instrument, being involved in classes, walking and biking, involved in adult children’s and grandchildren’s lives, even trying to keep in touch with the lives of great-grandchildren. Now I am not as able to do these things. I think we need an 80 and me site!🤗

Celtic

Hardly rocket science 😄

Joanie Marx

Forget the age number! Enjoy being your best every day.
My very best to you,
Joanie Marx

Liz Peoples

Great article pointing out the value and defining life hacks.

Joanie Marx

Thank you so much. I love to hear from my 60 and Me group.
This is why I do the articles and videos, so we can help each other.
My best,
Joanie Marx

The Author

Joanie Marx is a 3-time #1 international bestselling author, acclaimed online course creator, and podcast host. Known as a Storytelling Magician™ and edutainer, Joanie’s inspiring content is revolutionizing how people fifty and over can use the power of self-love to create their best life in an age of loneliness and isolation. Her new book, Finding True Love After 50: Create Your Best Life in an Age of Loneliness, is available on Amazon.

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