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5 tips to live well at every age

Feel your best, starting today.

Jul 22, 2025

The fountain of youth may be a myth, but there are real ways to enjoy a long, healthy life at every age. Our Best Health® wellness team and lifestyle medicine expert Dr. Teresa Hardisty, MD, with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, offer quick tips to support your longevity and overall health.

1

Enjoy a balanced diet.

In San Diego, we're lucky to get a delicious variety of fresh fruits and vegetables year-round. They're good sources of vitamins, minerals and fiber that help improve your health from the inside out. Frozen fruits and veggies are packed with nutrients and frozen at the peak of ripeness, so they're also a great choice.

“Overall, less than 30% of longevity is predicted by genetics,” Dr. Hardisty says. “Good nutrition can have a positive impact on your overall health.”

Eating more whole grains fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts lowers your risk for chronic disease and helps you to maintain your weight and general health.

Try this: When you can, reach for in-season and locally grown produce for extra freshness. These 10 San Diego farmers markets are the perfect place to start. For more inspiration, check out these easy ways to eat healthier.

2

Make time for movement.

Regular exercise can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say. Move more and sit less to stay active throughout the day.

If you're between the ages of 18-64, the CDC recommends getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. That's about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Brisk walking, dancing, biking and gardening all count. Don't forget to include two days of strength training exercises to maintain your muscle and prevent aging-related bone loss.

“You can improve your strength and balance with everyday movements,” Dr. Hardisty explains. “Leg strength in particular is correlated with longevity partly because it helps with fall prevention.”

Try these:

  • Stand on one leg while brushing your teeth.
  • Use a standing desk or countertop for computer work.
  • Walk during long phone calls.
  • Choose stairs instead of elevators.
  • Get on and off the ground for gardening.
  • Have an “exercise snack,” or a quick exercise break, such as doing a few squats when you get up from sitting.

Before you start a new exercise routine, check with your doctor to make sure it's right for you.

3

Stay connected.

Staying in touch with your loved ones and being active in your community supports a longer, healthier life. Your relationships with friends and family, colleagues and neighbors can offer support during the good and bad times.

“According to Harvard psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, having 1-2 strong relationships in our 50s helps both your mental and physical health as you age,” Dr. Hardisty says. “Having strong relationships is correlated with better health choices, such as nutrition and physical activity. For many people, our relationships are part of why we would want to live longer in the first place.”

Social connection can help improve healthy eating and physical activity, sleep quality, and your anxiety, depression and stress management, the CDC says. Loneliness is tied to poor health, but social connection is linked to longevity and well-being.

Try this: Schedule a monthly video call with your loved ones, join a book club or volunteer at a local nonprofit to build connections and give back to your community.

4

Prioritize your mental health.

Your mental health isn't just limited to your moods and emotions: It can even affect your physical health. When you're stressed or anxious, you might get headaches or feel more pain in your body, have high blood pressure, or have trouble sleeping. A behavioral health provider, like a therapist or a psychiatrist, can help.

Dr. Hardisty also recommends practicing meditation to support better sleep quality and blood pressure.

Try this: Find a provider in your network with just three steps, no referral needed.

If you need support urgently, don't wait: Call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or dial 1‑800‑273‑TALK (8255).

5

Keep up with your preventive care.

Getting preventive care, like screenings and vaccines, improves your overall health. Your provider checks for diseases early, which can make them easier to treat. It also helps to prevent diseases to bolster your long-term health.

“Childhood vaccines save approximately 1 million lives each year in the United States,” Dr. Hardisty notes. “In addition, between 1975 and 2000, about 6 million cancer deaths from breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers were avoided in the United States due to screening and prevention.”

Did you know your annual well visit is covered under your preventive care benefits? When you visit, ask your primary care provider questions and share any changes to your health. Your annual wellness visit may be different from your annual physical. If you have questions, please check with your provider.

Try this: Bring your preventive care checklist to your next appointment. It's a helpful guide to share with your doctor to ensure you're on track with your health. Your doctor will determine which options are best for you.

Support longevity with Best Health®

Our no-cost Best Health wellness program offers tools and resources to help you feel your best throughout your life. To get started:

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