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How can I keep my energy up as I age?

Feeling tired all the time is not a normal part of aging. Talking to a physician, changing your diet and starting strength training may help.

6 min
A photo illustration of an older man flying a kite in a field with pink and blue illustrated clouds, sunshine, and wind.
(Washington Post illustration; iStock)
Advice by

As I grow older, I feel like I’m more often tired and needing more naps. How can I keep my energy up?

Feeling constantly exhausted is not normal, regardless of your age. It’s a myth that as we age, fatigue becomes par for the course, though it is a common symptom: One study found that 29 percent of 70-year-olds and 68 percent of 85-year-olds experienced fatigue. In one study, among older adults, low energy was more often cited as the reason it’s hard to get out of bed than even chronic joint or back pain.

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