Getting older is a reality we all have to face at some point in our lives, but if you're looking for a way to live a healthier, longer life there are some steps you can take now to look and feel younger.

Bill Hayes is retired, and at 63 years old he gets in about five miles a day on the treadmill and teaches a class once a week.

"In retirement, you got to stay alert mentally, physically and spiritually," said Bill Hayes, Lincoln.

But when it comes to aging, he said he didn't know what to expect and hoped for answers.

"It's kind of like when my dad died. I went out to visit him three weeks before he died and I wanted him to tell me the mysteries of life or something like that, and it didn't happen," Hayes said.

LifePointe Health Promotions Coordinator Kristi Beyer said many people fear getting older because of the unknown. But she said with a few simple steps we can all manipulate the aging process.

The first step is to sharpen your mind.

"A lot of people fear Alzheimer's and sharpening the mind is one of those key factors that help your brain be stimulated to keep it active so it slows down the risk of any Alzheimer's that could potentially happen," Beyer said.

She suggests staying mentally active through reading, doing crossword puzzles, or learning something new.

The second step is to cultivate healthy relationships.

"I hear from a lot of people in our facility when they retire, they stop doing stuff. They become uninvolved. They become more isolated," Beyer said.

But according to Beyer, people who are socially connected live longer. Being connected lowers your blood pressure, reduces pain and boosts your immune system.

Step three: Reduce your stress.

"Be realistic. Allow yourself to learn the word 'no.' So don't try to do everything, and be OK with that," Beyer said.

She also said you should learn what relaxation technique works best for you, beginning with exercise.

"Get a massage. That's a good relaxation technique. Listening to some music -- that is really calming and soothing. Go to a yoga class," Beyer said.

Another step can take is to start thinking positively. Experts say seeing the glass half full gives you a greater life expectancy than most pessimists.

"To me, it's not what happens to you that matters, it's how you interpret it," Hayes said.

Hayes is thinking positive, and it's working.

"In a lot of ways, you know, I felt older at 22 or 23 when I was a parent for the first time. I thought 'I'm grown up, I've got to take care of these kids' and those types of things. And I think in a lot of ways I'm younger now than I was then," he said.

The final way to combat aging is to manage your environment. That involves controlling the clutter in your house and in your life and making your home and workplace are comfortable. It also includes minimizing exposure to the sun, mold and smoke.