This year, I turned 65. Oh, my goodness! I am now a senior citizen! Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful. However, being as healthy as I could be flooded my thoughts. I have some medical issues that are stable, but I am concerned about my quality of life as time goes on. As a Black woman, I wonder if it’s too late to turn things around, or what challenges may lie ahead if I don’t reset.
September is Healthy Aging Month, now celebrating its 33rd year. Healthy Aging Month was launched as part of the National Healthy Aging Campaign, created by Carolyn Worthington, president of Healthy Aging multi-media and the non-profit Educational Television Network, Inc. The Healthy Aging platform includes the healthyaging.net website, Healthy Aging® Magazine, newsletter, social media, and special events.
Healthy aging refers to the process of maintaining physical, mental, and social well-being as a person ages. It involves optimizing opportunities to improve and preserve health and independence throughout life.
Healthy Aging Month shines a spotlight on the power of positive aging and taking charge of our health, happiness, and future. Healthy Aging Magazine declares the theme for September 2025 is It’s Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself. This prompted me to reevaluate my life and health. Raymond Jetson, author of the book “Aging While Black: A Radical Reimagining of Aging and Race in America,” and a former state lawmaker and health department official, explained that older Black Americans have shorter life expectancies than their peers of other races. We also have an increased risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, dementia, stroke, cancer, and hypertension. He goes on to share that Black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women. So here I am asking myself, how do I reinvent myself?
I’ve learned that aging isn’t about “losing your shine”—it’s about glowing in new and fabulous ways! SwagHer Magazine indicates that for Black women, those golden years can be a time to embrace all the wisdom, beauty, and experiences that make you uniquely you.
As I pondered deeply about reinventing myself, I knew I had to also have a change in mindset that began with thinking positive thoughts and embracing ways of aging gracefully in a realistic and constructive way while keeping things light, joyful, and full of life.
In the past, the focus on aging was just sustaining vitality, but now it’s about transforming your future with purpose and excitement. At this stage in my life, reinventing myself is about charting a new course, new lifestyle habits, and personal growth.
On this new course, I am facing challenges as a caregiver. However, I know that I must take care of myself before I can take care of others. This begins with protecting my immune system.
I read that dysfunctionality in our immune response is a principal driver of accelerated aging. This means that the immune response contributes significantly to accelerated aging, impacting our overall health and longevity. This leads to, but not limited to, increased susceptibility to infections and autoimmune diseases.
Our life experiences may have shaped what it means to age well, our ability to age well, and factors that might hinder someone from aging well. However, aging is not a lost cause.
Maintaining a healthy immune system takes discipline. For a 65-year-old woman like me, healthy aging means maintaining physical and mental well-being by adopting healthy habits like a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol. It also includes staying socially active and engaged, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and actively participating in healthcare through regular check-ups and screenings. According to Health Aging Magazine, the goal is to reduce age-related decline, prevent disorders, and preserve independence and quality of life.
Let me tell you, I want to age gracefully, not quickly! How can you redefine your next chapter? Below are tips to help you age healthily in 2025 and beyond. These tips and useful links blend physical, mental, social, and financial wellness to guide your wellness journey!
- Add Play to Your Day
Find movement that’s fun—like pickleball, dance fitness, or cycling. Not sure where to start? Search for a new hobby or activity near you on Meetup.com or your local YMCA.
- Embrace Micro Adventures
Rediscover your local area—visit a botanical garden, hike a new trail, or explore a museum. Use AllTrails to find walking and hiking routes near you.
- Get That Annual Physical—and Track It
Schedule your physical and recommended screenings. Use platforms like MyChart or your healthcare provider’s app to manage records and reminders.
- Be a Lifelong Learner
Take free courses online on learning platforms like Coursera and edX, from gardening and photography to coding and neuroscience, or join your local library book club for low-cost learning.
- Reset Your Relationship with Technology
Instead of endless scrolling, explore free courses like TechBoomers or Senior Planet from OATS to learn new digital skills.
- Cook One New Healthy Recipe a Week
Find inspiration and step-by-step recipes from cookbooks and on the web. Try Oldways, which promotes cultural diets for longevity.
- Reconnect with Purpose
Volunteer with your local animal shelter, food bank, or school. Try VolunteerMatch or AmeriCorps Seniors.
- Start a “What’s Next” Journal
Write down goals for your next chapter—whether that’s launching a business, learning a language, or traveling solo. Reflecting on purpose helps boost long-term motivation.
These are just a few suggestions for healthy and successful aging to help promote cognitive stimulation and mental well-being. Their interconnectedness supports overall well-being, helping to maintain functional ability, promote a positive mindset, and reduce the risk of chronic disease and cognitive decline in later life. Embrace healthy aging with purpose and grace!
Featured image courtesy of iStock.