There are always people out there searching for the Fountain of Youth. Our society is practically obsessed with youth, so as people age, especially women, one of the top goals becomes trying to look younger than you are.

Many think the best, or perhaps only, way to do this by altering their physical appearance through plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures, but people who actually look a lot younger than they are are more likely to not only have great genetics, but habits they’ve picked up that keep them in tip-top shape. If you know someone who pretty much everyone thinks is at least 10 years younger than their true age, there’s a good chance they do these particular things on a regular basis.

If someone looks a lot younger than their age, they probably picked up these habits without thinking about it

1. They’re always learning something new

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No matter how old you are, expressing a deep desire to learn about pretty much everything absolutely contributes to a more youthful appearance. According to Karyn Hall, PhD.“Doing something novel helps you stay young and interested.”

Think about it. The people who still get excited over new technology or who love listening to up-and-coming musical artists are usually also the same people you would never guess are as old as they are when you first meet them.

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2. They don’t hide how they feel

Lots of people think that being a grown-up means keeping a lid on their emotions. They become more guarded as they get older, believing that composure is the same thing as maturity. But people who seem younger than their age don’t lose their willingness to be vulnerable. They still laugh without holding back, and they aren’t embarrassed to admit when something moves them.

When they’re happy, it shows. When they’re touched by someone else’s kindness or pain, their facial expressions reflect it. Their authenticity makes them seem more vibrant and approachable, qualities we often associate with youth.

There’s also a practical reason emotional openness matters. Suppressing feelings shows up in chronic tension, irritability, low energy, and emotional distance from other people. By processing emotions instead of constantly pushing them aside, people tend to carry themselves with a lighter, more relaxed presence, and that energy can make them seem younger than someone who is the same age but emotionally shut down.

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3. They stick with the hobbies they’ve always enjoyed

It’s pretty common to move on from the hobbies that were your absolute favorite when you were younger. Family and work responsibilities get in the way, or we think it’s silly to waste time on having fun. But people who seem remarkably youthful often keep making room for the things that bring them joy, regardless of their age.

They continue doing things simply because they enjoy them, whether or not anyone else considers them productive or impressive. Having interests outside of work gives them something to look forward to and reminds them that life isn’t just about checking responsibilities off a list.

Hobbies have been linked to lower stress and better sleepwhich can definitely influence how well-rested and energized someone appears. More than that, people who stay connected to the activities they love project an unmistakable enthusiasm that’s difficult to fake. They seem younger because they never stopped making time for the parts of themselves that feel most alive.

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4. They spend time with people who are younger than they are

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People who seem younger than their age rarely limit their social circle to people in the exact same stage of life. They’re genuinely interested in hearing how younger generations see the world and how their experiences differ from their own. Rather than dismissing new ideas or insisting things were better back in their day, they stay curious and open to different perspectives. That openness gives them an energy and flexibility that people often associate with youth.

As a Gen Zer who’s had many older friendsI rarely thought about the age difference after our first few conversations. They asked thoughtful questions and treated me like an equal instead of someone they needed to lecture. Their genuine curiosity to get to know me made me feel like they were much younger than they actually were.

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5. They’re spontaneous

Getting older usually means taking on more responsibilities, so you often have to think carefully before making major decisions. But people who seem younger than their age don’t schedule every moment of their lives or feel the need to control every outcome. They still make room for unexpected experiences. They’re usually the ones telling stories about the time they just took a chance and up and moved out of state to be where they are now. Or they had a job at one point that was completely out of the ordinary.

These people are no strangers to being slightly impulsive, and that can make for a rich and meaningful life. Their youthful quality comes from resisting the urge to keep life so predictable that there’s no room left for surprise. They’re willing to occasionally step outside their routines, and that sense of possibility gives them an energy that’s hard to fake.

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6. They remind themselves of what matters

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Society puts so much pressure on people to keep their heads down and make enough money to survive. People who look younger than they are are more interested in the things worth living for, like love, happiness, shared humanity, and people to call family.

They’re always stepping back to remind themselves of what truly matters to them on a deep, personal level, not basing their entire self-concept around what society expects from responsible adults. This allows them the free, youthful confidence to be authentically themselves in any setting without fear of looking silly or immature.

If anything, they’re probably the people who are least concerned about their own appearance. They’d rather look like they’ve lived a great life than be so serious all the time. Ironically, the people who look most youthful aren’t necessarily concerned with looking youthful. They live for the moment, and we can all learn a thing or two from their deep well of joy.

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Luke Aliga is a writer with a degree in Technical Writing and Communication who covers relationships, culture, human-interest topics, astrology, and manifestation.