Health and Safety

Many factors influence how well you age

By the Wellness Program
of the Division of Safety and Management Services

Healthy aging looks different for each of us.

For many people, it simply means staying healthy enough to continue doing the things you love, whether that's spending time with family, traveling, gardening, volunteering, or enjoying favorite hobbies.

Many factors can influence how healthy you are as you age, including:

• Family health history. Conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes can run in families, which may increase your risk.
• Relationships and support, Staying socially connected plays an important role in overall well-being.
• Access to health care. Regular preventive care helps you stay on top of your health.
• Income and resources. Access to healthy food, safe places to exercise, and health services can make a difference.
• Life experiences and environment. The communities we live in and our lived experiences can also impact our health.

The good news? Many aspects of healthy aging are within your control.

• Avoiding tobacco helps reduce the risk of many chronic diseases.
• Eating a balanced, nutritious diet fuels your body and mind.
• Staying physically active helps maintain strength, balance, and energy.
• Getting enough sleep and managing stress also support healthy aging.