Some people look and act much younger than their age while others appear to age before their time.  Understanding what differentiates these two groups will enable you to move from the second group to the first.

As the adage claims, age really is just a state of mind.  Your thoughts determine how young you act and feel.  I have observed people in their thirties complain that they were getting old and people in their seventies exclaiming that they never felt so good.

There are a variety of strategies you can utilize.  Here are some tips to keep you feeling young.  Go ahead and use them.  They all work.

Associate with cheerful and positive people.  They will help you stay energized and motivated.  Conversely, when you spend time with those who constantly whine, gripe, and complain, your own attitude is eroded. 

Keep learning.  Your mind, like your body, requires exercise to stay in shape.  The more challenges you give your mind, the younger it will feel.  Learning should be a lifetime endeavor, not something that ends when you leave school.

Appreciate all of the good things in your life, especially the simple things.  Don’t become fixated on what you feel is lacking.  Develop an attitude of gratitude.  Being aware of how much you have to be grateful for helps keep you happy.

Laugh a lot.  Maintain a sense of humor.  Most situations have some humorous aspect.  Find it and laugh.  Laughing relieves stress and helps you relax.  Laughing helps you keep situations and circumstances in perspective. 

Keep moving forward.  Regardless of what you have been through or the decisions you have made, the only issue is the next step.  There’s no going back in time so don’t waste any energy lamenting what you could have, should have, or would have done.  Take the lessons from the past and apply them to decisions you make today.

Take care of your body.  When your body feels good, you feel good.  Your weight and physical condition affect your well being.  If you are not happy with your physical state, make whatever changes are necessary to get you to where you want to be.  You don’t have to become a fitness or health fanatic.  All that’s needed is commitment and appropriate lifestyle choices.

Feed your mind.  Your mind, like a muscle, needs to be challenged to stay in shape.  Challenge your mind.  Do new things.  Break out of routines.  Learn new things and expand your horizons.  What you put into your mind impacts how you feel.  Fill it with negative thoughts and you feel bad.  Focus on the positive and you feel better. 

Don’t stress or worry.  Keep things in perspective.  Most issues that arise, although annoying, are insignificant in the long run.  If you have control over something, take action.  If not, let it go.  Don’t sweat the small stuff.  Stress and worry never accomplish anything positive.

Smile.  When you smile you feel good and are a positive influence on those who see you.  Don’t wait to feel happy before you smile.  Smile and you will feel happier.  Besides, there are no benefits whatsoever to frowning and sulking.

Be happy.  Appreciate all the good things in your life.  Develop and maintain an attitude of gratitude.  Connect with other positive and happy people.  Help others.  When you do something that makes someone else happy, you feel happy too.

Make the most of each day.  You are never going to be as young as you are today.  Don’t put off things you want to accomplish.  Get up and get going.  You can stay young by always being active in mind, body, and spirit.

NOW AVAILABLE:  "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book.  Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write him c/o this paper.  2009 Bryan Golden

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