There’s a saying I came across years ago—“Age is an issue of mind over matter; if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” It’s often attributed to Mark Twain, and while it might sound lighthearted, there’s a real kernel of truth in it.

If you’ve hit your 70s (or beyond) and you still find certain daily tasks a breeze, it suggests that beneath the graying hair and the accumulated life wisdom, your body is holding up quite impressively.

I’m no know-it-all, but as someone in my 60s, I’ve noticed that the real markers of healthy aging aren’t about running marathons or bench-pressing half your body weight (though kudos if you can!).

Instead, it’s those seemingly simple activities—like climbing the stairs or lugging the groceries—that can reveal so much about how well we’re doing in the grand scheme of life.

So let’s get right into it. If you can tick off these tasks without breaking a sweat, there’s a good chance you’re aging like fine wine.

1. Walking up and down stairs without losing your breath

Walking up a flight of stairs might seem trivial—until it’s not. One day, you’re bounding up two steps at a time; the next, you’re clinging to the handrail and wheezing.

If you’re in your 70s and can still navigate stairs without turning beet-red, that’s something to be proud of.

I often think back to my own grandmother who, well into her 80s, insisted on using the stairs instead of the elevator in her apartment building. She said it was her “free daily workout.”

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society also noted that older adults who regularly climb stairs tend to maintain better cardiovascular health. That makes sense: climbing stairs engages not just your legs but also your heart and lungs.

So the next time you take those steps two at a time—or even at a calm, steady pace—remember that it’s a sign your ticker and your legs are still going strong.

2. Carrying groceries without straining

Picture this scenario: you’ve just done your weekly food shop (maybe you even popped in some treats for the grandkids), and now you’re lugging your grocery bags to the car.

If you can manage that weight without feeling like your arms are about to fall off, it’s a solid indicator of good upper-body strength.

When my wife and I do our shopping, I’ll often see folks half my age struggling with their grocery bags. Meanwhile, some older shoppers breeze right past them, milk jugs in hand, chatting away without missing a beat.

As Winston Churchill famously said, “Kites rise highest against the wind—not with it.” While he might not have been referring to carrying groceries, I can’t help but feel his words resonate here: a bit of challenge keeps you strong.

Strength in your arms, shoulders, and core is crucial for a quality life. After all, we need these muscles to handle everyday activities—from opening jars to giving our grandkids that big, hearty hug.

3. Bending down to pick things up with ease

Let’s be honest: one of the first signs of aging we tend to notice is how creaky our backs and knees can get.

If you’re over 70 and can still bend down to tie your shoes or pick up a stray sock on the floor without wincing, that’s a triumph.

I can’t count how many times I’ve been in the park with my grandchildren and my dog, Lottie, and I’ve had to crouch down to tie their shoelaces or fetch a toy.

If it feels relatively simple—no pun intended—it’s because your joints and muscles are doing what they’re meant to do. Sometimes, I’ll offer a quick stretch routine to friends who complain about stiff knees.

I remind them: if you can regularly bend, squat, and stand, you’re preserving flexibility and strength in your hips, glutes, and lower back.

After all, the body is like a well-built machine; use it or lose it. When you frequently practice bending or crouching, you’re sending a signal to your muscles that they’re still needed and they better stay active.

4. Standing for extended periods without discomfort

Ever notice how long lines at the supermarket or at a sporting event become a litmus test of your endurance?

If you can stand without constantly shifting your weight, leaning on a wall, or feeling an urgent need to sit, you’re likely in good shape.

I once mentioned in a previous post that posture is a window into our overall health, and I firmly believe that.

Being able to stand upright without pain points to strong back muscles and a stable core, which can help prevent falls—something that becomes a real concern as we age. It’s a bit like the foundation of a house; if it’s solid, everything else has a better chance of staying upright, too.

So if you catch yourself standing in line, casually flipping through a magazine at the checkout without needing a seat, pat yourself on the back (figuratively). That’s your body reminding you, “Hey, we’ve still got this.”

5. Maintaining balance when walking or turning

Balancing is one of those skills we take for granted when we’re young. Most of us never think twice about pivoting on our heels to change direction or stepping off a curb.

But as the years add up, balance can quietly slip away—sometimes without warning.

That’s why if you’re strolling through a farmer’s market or weaving between crowds at a museum without stumbling, it’s a surefire sign you’re doing well.

Good balance relies on a complex interaction between your inner ear, vision, and muscle coordination. When all three are in sync, you hardly notice you’re balancing at all.

Stoic philosopher Epictetus once said, “No great thing is created suddenly.” The same goes for preserving good balance.

It’s the result of consistent activity—like walking, gentle yoga, or even dancing in your living room when no one’s watching. If you’re 70+ and can hold your balance on uneven ground, that’s worth a small celebration.

6. Easily getting in and out of a car

I’ve had friends in their 70s tell me how big of a milestone it felt to slide into the driver’s seat without twisting like a pretzel.

Simple as it sounds, getting in and out of a car smoothly demands good mobility in your hips, core stability, and a decent range of motion in your spine.

Not too long ago, one of my neighbors—also in his mid-70s—mentioned how he’d never realized the importance of this tiny movement until he tweaked his hip.

After some light physical therapy and daily stretching, he was back to driving pain-free. He joked that slipping into the car seat feels better than it did in his 60s.

As Brene Brown has noted, “We don’t have to do all of it alone. We were never meant to.” That statement rings true in physical well-being, too.

Sometimes, maintaining these everyday tasks means asking for a bit of help—from a physical therapist or even a friend who can join you in a daily stretch session. But if you’re already swinging that door open and settling into the driver’s seat without a hitch, you’re doing mighty fine.

7. Last but not least, rising from a chair without using your hands

I’ve seen health experts use the “chair test” as a quick gauge for lower-body strength and balance.

If you can rise from a chair without pushing off the armrests—or your thighs—then your quadriceps, hips, and core muscles are still up for the job.

When my grandkids visit, we often end up in the living room playing board games (the kids love them, and I’m a big fan of anything that tears them away from screens).

It’s a small but telling detail: if I can pop up from that sofa with minimal effort, I know I’m still keeping father time at bay.

There’s also research indicating that this “sit-to-stand” test can be a predictor of longevity. It’s not definitive, of course, but it does make sense: rising from a chair involves a lot of muscle groups that need to work in tandem.

If you can do it smoothly, that suggests you’ve maintained strength, coordination, and joint health. And those are big keys to staying independent and active as we get older.

Wrapping it up

I’m still figuring things out myself, but I’ve come to realize these day-to-day tasks really do serve as mile markers on our journey through our golden years.

If you can keep checking them off your list with relative ease, it’s a solid sign you’re doing something right—whether it’s regular walks, stretching routines, or simply staying active by chasing the grandkids around.

Here at GE Editing, we’re all about continuous improvement in every aspect of life. And physical well-being is no exception—it’s the foundation for enjoying the relationships, hobbies, and passions that make life fulfilling.

So here’s my question for you: how many of these tasks can you do right now without a second thought? If your answer is most or all of them, your body’s giving you a pat on the back for aging gracefully.

If there’s a task or two that gives you pause, maybe it’s time to incorporate gentle exercises or small lifestyle tweaks. After all, aging is inevitable, but losing your ability to do the things you love? That’s something we can work to prevent.

Take it one step at a time—literally—and remember: you’re never too old to make improvements. Even in your 70s, there’s always another challenge to meet, another skill to sharpen, another day to savor.

As far as I see it, that’s the real beauty in growing older: each moment is a chance to celebrate how far we’ve come and how much more we can still do.