17 Things You’re Simply Too Old to Keep Doing

Written By Lisa Marley

The older you get, the more fragile you are physically and mentally, so it’s important to prioritize your well-being every day. Whether you still feel young at 50 or are closer to 80, we’ve compiled 17 things you’re too old to be doing anymore.

Staying in Unhealthy Relationships

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Whether it’s platonic or romantic, you shouldn’t be afraid to leave a relationship that feels toxic. When you already know the signs to watch out for, you should trust your gut instincts to back out before words or actions become more harmful.

Running Away from the Doctor

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Old age isn’t a time to avoid the hospital because you think you don’t need it or consider it an unnecessarily high expense. Regular visits to the doctor will help you identify health complications you never knew you had and also help you manage your well-being better.

Caring What Others Say

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Society’s opinions are subjective and fleeting, and you’ve probably learned this over the years. When you were younger, you probably cared a lot about what the people around you thought of you, but why are you still letting that bother you? Get out there and enjoy your life, regardless of what people think!

Being Afraid to Explore Interests

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Have you had reservations about joining a reading club, collecting vintage books, or pursuing other specific interests over the years? It’s time to go for them; you’re never too old to try new things, especially if you feel they’ll make you happier and more fulfilled with life!

Road Rage

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David Strayer, a psychology professor at the University of Utah, shares with CNN that aggressive driving is linked to increased risks of stress-induced cardiovascular diseases. The older you get, the more prone you are to these, so relaxing with the radio is more advisable than getting involved in road rage.

Engaging in Drama

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Arguing with friends and family breeds feelings of anger and frustration and is known to increase your stress levels. It’s even worse when drama is something you have to deal with every day. It’s better for your health to disengage from conflicts at any age, but it’s particularly important as you grow older.

Holding Grudges

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Just like arguments, suppressing feelings of resentment against others has a negative effect on your peace of mind. It heightens your stress levels and exposes you to anxiety or even high blood pressure. Rather than hold a grudge, you should get it off your chest and talk to them.

Ignoring Sleep

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The older you get, the more susceptible you are to sleep-related issues like high blood pressure, strokes, and even depression. This doesn’t mean you need more sleep, though; just eliminate bad sleeping habits and get seven to nine hours of rest daily, as the National Institute on Aging recommends.

Doubting Yourself

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It’s better to try and fail than not to try at all. Underestimating your abilities puts you in a box and prevents you from pursuing personal and professional growth. Doing this will never unlock your true potential, and you will have regrets, especially when you’re older!

Ignoring Exercise

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Exercise improves your mood and sleep, decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases, and even delays the onset of many health problems that accompany old age. The best part, however, is that you enjoy just as many benefits regardless of the age at which you start working out. So, don’t be shy about beginning today!

Neglecting Skincare

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Taking care of your skin is something you should have been doing since childhood, but as an adult, there’s no reason to continue ignoring it. The older you get, the more prone you are to skin conditions like pruritus, eczema, and sun-related skin cancer, so there’s no better time to start than now.

Thinking of the Past

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Reminiscing about the good old days is a fun part of getting old. However, keep it positive because Psych Central explains that thinking of negative past events increases anxiety, impulsivity, low self-esteem, and poor decisions. What’s done is done, so focus on the present and future.

Ignoring Dental Care

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The consequences of neglecting your dental health don’t stop at bad breath, swollen gums, and loosened teeth. Cavities develop, and you risk losing teeth, malnutrition, and even social isolation. Brush your teeth as required, limit sugar and alcohol consumption, and go for regular dental checkups.

Giving Into Unhealthy Habits

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As an older adult, you know the consequences of unhealthy habits, so why are you still giving in to them!? You shouldn’t continue to feed into these bad habits because their risks are heightened significantly with older age. It’s time to leave them in the past and focus on healthier habits.

Staying Away From New Relationships

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New relationships give new perspectives on life and bring opportunities for personal and professional development. Yes, your existing friends are important, but it gets increasingly lonely in your 60s and 70s, so you should stop shying away from new relationships and actively seek out new connections.

Being Close-Minded

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Open-mindedness improves adaptability to mental and physical changes. It makes you less judgmental of others, exposes you to new, fulfilling experiences, and improves your overall compatibility with everyone around you. While all of this is important throughout life, they’re particularly important in enhancing your happiness as you get older!

Despising Old age

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Finally, stop denying and despising your old age. Aging is an unavoidable part of life, so instead of worrying about what it brings, embrace it. CNBC shares research from Yale University on how staying positive about the aging process brings many health benefits for your brain and body while being negative will only make you age faster.

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