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Living the Good Long Life: A Practical Guide to Caring for Yourself and Others
Martha Stewart’s engaging handbook for living your healthiest life after 40—with expertise from doctors and specialists on eating, exercise, wellness, home, and organizing, as well as caring for others. Martha Stewart’s Living the Good Long Life is a practical guide unlike any honest and upbeat, with clear and motivating charts, resources, and tips from doctors and wellness specialists. From the best ways to organize your home to protecting your mental well-being and appearance as you age, this book gives accessible ideas that you can incorporate every day. And when it’s time to explore caregiving for others, you’ll know how to enrich their quality of life while preventing your own fatigue.Martha’s 10 Golden Rules for Successful Aging provide a framework for chapters that cover your changing needs with every decade, -Healthy Eating: Stock a healthy pantry for your dietary needs. -Healthy Stand strong on your feet by increasing your balance, endurance, and flexibility.-A Healthy Stimulate new brain activity to prevent memory loss.-A Healthy Maintain a sense of daily purpose by strengthening social connections. -Healthy Living Every Medicate wisely while paying attention to aches and pains.-Healthy Take care of your skin and match your makeup to your age.-Healthy Create a home that is a reflection of how you want to live.-Healthy Living into the Be your own wellness CEO to prevent future illness.-Healthy Prepare for helping others while caring for yourself, and much more! Healthy living begins with establishing small habits, and with Living the Good Long Life you’ll have a dependable source for thriving in your 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond."In my Foundation’s health initiatives—and in my own life—I’ve seen again and again how even small measures to improve your health can make a big difference. Living the Good Long Life is full of simple ideas that can be incorporated into daily routines to help you feel better and keep on doing what you love."—President Bill Clinton "For thirty years, Martha Stewart has carefully coached us on how to take care of our homes, our menus, our crafts. And now in Living the Good Long Life, she has brought her brilliant skills to the mission of helping us take care of ourselves. With sparkling prose, no-nonsense instruction, and, as always, oceans of wisdom, Martha implores readers not to recoil from their advancing years, but to embrace and celebrate them—with invaluable tips on keeping our diets healthy, our bodies pumping, and our outlook forever sunny. I just loved this book."—Marlo Thomas
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Martha Stewart
462 books600 followersMartha Helen Stewart is an American retail businesswoman, writer, and television personality. As the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, focusing on home and hospitality, she gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing publishing, broadcasting, merchandising and e-commerce. She has written numerous bestselling books, was the publisher of Martha Stewart Living magazine and hosted two syndicated television programs: Martha Stewart Living, which ran from 1993 to 2004, and The Martha Stewart Show, which ran from 2005 to 2012.
In 2004, Stewart was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case; she served five months in federal prison for fraud and was released in March 2005. There was speculation that the incident would effectively end her media empire, but in 2005 Stewart began a comeback campaign and her company returned to profitability in 2006. Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2011 and became chairwoman of her namesake company again in 2012. The company was acquired by Sequential Brands in 2015. Sequential Brands Group agreed in April 2019 to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.
In 2004, Stewart was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case; she served five months in federal prison for fraud and was released in March 2005. There was speculation that the incident would effectively end her media empire, but in 2005 Stewart began a comeback campaign and her company returned to profitability in 2006. Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2011 and became chairwoman of her namesake company again in 2012. The company was acquired by Sequential Brands in 2015. Sequential Brands Group agreed in April 2019 to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 9, 2013
There were enough 'good things' in this book to make it worth my time. Like all things that come from her all-seeing empire this book was well-produced and well-researched so there was an additional heft to every practical suggestion she included. Each one carried some measure of good sense and would be worth a try.
Some of the chapters were a bit too Martha-filled for me but if I really thought about it, her photo on the cover should have reminded me that would be the case with this book. I enjoyed the chapters about home organization the most and felt like some of the chapters (beauty products, for example) still deserved my attention even though I might never apply her suggestions. She thorough in all of the parts of this book and it made me continue to read along. The bulk of the book is printed in just two print colours - black and a stylish dark orange but there is a small section devoted to eating well and those include colour photographs. In this section you can't help but love the Martha style with the concise ingredient list and instructions.
I think this might be a book enjoyed by anyone who wanted a new outlook or approach to their lives. It could be a useful reference for someone who is just getting started with organizing their home or buying their first home but it really does have more of a focus on the second half of life with some excellent suggestions for aging, caring for aging parents and keeping your home and personal information safe. It would be hard for anyone who has even a small dislike of Martha Stewart from enjoying this book because photographs of her are on every second of third page. If you can get past that element of the book it has excellent suggestions and is worth a read.
Some of the chapters were a bit too Martha-filled for me but if I really thought about it, her photo on the cover should have reminded me that would be the case with this book. I enjoyed the chapters about home organization the most and felt like some of the chapters (beauty products, for example) still deserved my attention even though I might never apply her suggestions. She thorough in all of the parts of this book and it made me continue to read along. The bulk of the book is printed in just two print colours - black and a stylish dark orange but there is a small section devoted to eating well and those include colour photographs. In this section you can't help but love the Martha style with the concise ingredient list and instructions.
I think this might be a book enjoyed by anyone who wanted a new outlook or approach to their lives. It could be a useful reference for someone who is just getting started with organizing their home or buying their first home but it really does have more of a focus on the second half of life with some excellent suggestions for aging, caring for aging parents and keeping your home and personal information safe. It would be hard for anyone who has even a small dislike of Martha Stewart from enjoying this book because photographs of her are on every second of third page. If you can get past that element of the book it has excellent suggestions and is worth a read.
May 28, 2013
For her age, media mogul Martha Stewart (71) looks pretty good, and according to her new book, “Living The Good Long Life: A Practical Guide To Caring For Yourself And Others,” her good health and positive outlook on life is attributed to her priority of taking good care of herself. And in this guidebook to becoming older with grace, Stewart shares her tips and ideas for getting the most out of life.
“Living The Good Long Life” is, in essence, a creatively presented reference guide. It is divided into sections which examines seven different areas of concern – healthy eating, healthy fitness, healthy brain, healthy outlook, healthy looks; healthy home, healthy living for tomorrow, healthy living into the future and healthy caring. Each section contains a bevy of ideas on how to simply incorporate ideas into daily living that will not only make for a better quality of life, but will also be easy to adapt for any situation.
With the world’s population rapidly aging and the average longevity being to age 80 and more (Stewart calls it the “silver tsunami”), the information found in Stewart’s guide book is both timely and profound. Set up for easy access, this will be a book that readers will want to keep handy for frequent perusal.
“Living The Good Long Life” is, in essence, a creatively presented reference guide. It is divided into sections which examines seven different areas of concern – healthy eating, healthy fitness, healthy brain, healthy outlook, healthy looks; healthy home, healthy living for tomorrow, healthy living into the future and healthy caring. Each section contains a bevy of ideas on how to simply incorporate ideas into daily living that will not only make for a better quality of life, but will also be easy to adapt for any situation.
With the world’s population rapidly aging and the average longevity being to age 80 and more (Stewart calls it the “silver tsunami”), the information found in Stewart’s guide book is both timely and profound. Set up for easy access, this will be a book that readers will want to keep handy for frequent perusal.
February 11, 2026
I have admired Martha Stewart for some time. She is aging very well and obviously takes care of herself. I have read much of this advice before in other books, but her book is very well researched and thorough. It is an excellent reminder of what we all need to stay healthy both mentally and physically.
June 22, 2023
I was debating getting this book for my mother (it is only occuring to me now that this may not be translated to french but nevermind) so I got it on kindle, skimmed some of it, read other parts with attention. There is some solid advice in there even if it's nothing revolutionary,at least you can always count on Martha Stewart for practicality. I wish this got a bit more personal and perhaps specific but this is a book with sound advice whether you are moving towards the later part of your life or if you have to care in any capacity for one of your elders.
You can't deny Stewart is aging very gracefully herself! (and sure money helps but still).
You can't deny Stewart is aging very gracefully herself! (and sure money helps but still).
May 16, 2017
This book is good to read if you have an issue with self-care, or if you are a caregiver. It shows how to maintain each one, with steps for healthy eating and exercise, doctor check-ups and symptoms to look out for in both males and females. Lots of information in this book, definitely a good read.
July 15, 2013
Martha Stewart's Golden Rules:
1. Eat well
2. Maintain a healthy weight
3. Stay physically active
4. Get quality sleep
5. Wear sun screen
6. Collaborate with a good primary-care doctor regularly
7. Find you passion
8. Connect with others
9. Stop complaining - change what you can, and accept what you cannot
10.Stay curious
We have read this information is other places. It is nicely arranged and clearly written, but I find it insulting that she says nothing about or gives advice about the negative parts of her life that we all have to face. That's the information that would be new, useful and insightful.
1. Eat well
2. Maintain a healthy weight
3. Stay physically active
4. Get quality sleep
5. Wear sun screen
6. Collaborate with a good primary-care doctor regularly
7. Find you passion
8. Connect with others
9. Stop complaining - change what you can, and accept what you cannot
10.Stay curious
We have read this information is other places. It is nicely arranged and clearly written, but I find it insulting that she says nothing about or gives advice about the negative parts of her life that we all have to face. That's the information that would be new, useful and insightful.
November 3, 2013
Oh, Martha, if only I were to grow old as gracefully as you.
June 23, 2024
I think this book is a comprehensive and handy reference guide on aging gracefully. Martha included just about everything you could think of from making your home safe from falls, exercises for stability, healthy eating, health checkups, vaccinations (this book was pre-covid), and self-care.
I am confident Martha would also include a Covid booster in an updated book.
The other thing I enjoyed about this book is how easy it is to digest the information in a long and leisurely reading or short bursts when you might be able to fit it in.
She also added great family pictures and examples of good living her mother set for her.
This book is both a good read and a good thing.
I am confident Martha would also include a Covid booster in an updated book.
The other thing I enjoyed about this book is how easy it is to digest the information in a long and leisurely reading or short bursts when you might be able to fit it in.
She also added great family pictures and examples of good living her mother set for her.
This book is both a good read and a good thing.
February 10, 2019
Living the Good Long Life
Martha Stewart has written a well-documented book on the living good life. She covers such subjects as how to keep your makeup relevant as you age (hint you need to change it up not keep it the same forever). She is a big proponent of taking charge of one’s health care i.e. eating moderately, keeping active, getting enough sleep, and drinking moderately. Perhaps the best chapter was on end of life care.
Martha Stewart has written a well-documented book on the living good life. She covers such subjects as how to keep your makeup relevant as you age (hint you need to change it up not keep it the same forever). She is a big proponent of taking charge of one’s health care i.e. eating moderately, keeping active, getting enough sleep, and drinking moderately. Perhaps the best chapter was on end of life care.
July 23, 2017
I read this book because of the subject matter and my curiosity regarding the author. Whilst it was clearly written from a position of privilege and therefore at times irritating, I found it surprisingly informative in most areas and well written.
July 29, 2018
Great coverage of a whole lot of basics of living a healthy lifestyle. There's no way to do everything she does on a daily basis, and some of the ideas are woowoo, but it's good to at least skim and gain encouragement for improving your life.
December 13, 2018
This is a great resource, as long as you want the most thorough explanation of how to age well. Details. Details, as anyone would expect Martha to provide! I read it because the back cover mentions "life after 40", but I would say it is more helpful for people a couple of decades after 40.
December 21, 2018
A lot of good practical tips for all facets of a woman's life. I was not always a big fan of Martha, but she has won me over with this book. She is not like a celebrity at all, just a very intelligent yet down to earth person.
January 29, 2018
Defiantly need to buy this book!
I loved most of what I read, although I didn't agree with the dietary suggestions, the exercise and endurance information was invaluable.
I loved most of what I read, although I didn't agree with the dietary suggestions, the exercise and endurance information was invaluable.
June 10, 2018
She MISSED
April 17, 2020
Very good information for those of us are getting into our later years - 50yrs and up.
April 25, 2020
A lot of good information. She covered all the bases.
April 27, 2020
I was hoping for more recipes, but this was still a good resource. I probably would’ve gotten more out of parts of the book before my parents got sick. Still, many good reminders here.
June 22, 2020
Good tips for every age and phase of living
November 26, 2020
Typical great advice from Martha. Nothing a person hasn’t heard before if you are middle-aged. It started to depress me to be honest. Much more my issues with aging than Martha’s solid advice.
September 29, 2021
Solid Advice
This book is more for an elderly person but I found a lot of value in it for any age.
This book is more for an elderly person but I found a lot of value in it for any age.
Read
February 12, 2024couldn't finish it ... sooo long with lots of repeated info.
am sure a lot will find it useful but not for me
am sure a lot will find it useful but not for me
March 14, 2017
Outstanding book on caring for yourself and others.
May 6, 2014
I expected this to be a book of complicated recipes and expensive fixes for the problems that plague us as we age. Surprisingly, this book was filled with a lot of useful information and practical advice. Sure there are a few recipes, after all this is Martha. But that is only 20 pages of this book, and are quick and healthy - easy to make for one or two and adapt from more if you have company.
My complaints deal with the marketing of the book and its design. First, the marketing people try to aim this to 40 year olds. Ridiculous. If you don't have an AARP card, skip the book until later - unless you are reading it to get ideas on how to care for an aging relative. Nowhere within the pages of the book are 40 year old individuals mentioned, but rather everything is geared to 50, 60 and beyond.
Secondly, in light of the age group it was meant for, the design team didn't take them into consideration. One word for the designers: PRESBYOPIA! For crying out loud, do they have any idea how difficult it is to read so much that is in newspaper sized type? Every chapter starts out with large type, descends to medium type (still ok) and then the type plummets to minimal size when it gets to the target information. This was totally uncalled for and made reading the book difficult, even with reading glasses.
Would I recommend this book in spite of the print? Definitely. It has a wealth of information intended for seniors.
My complaints deal with the marketing of the book and its design. First, the marketing people try to aim this to 40 year olds. Ridiculous. If you don't have an AARP card, skip the book until later - unless you are reading it to get ideas on how to care for an aging relative. Nowhere within the pages of the book are 40 year old individuals mentioned, but rather everything is geared to 50, 60 and beyond.
Secondly, in light of the age group it was meant for, the design team didn't take them into consideration. One word for the designers: PRESBYOPIA! For crying out loud, do they have any idea how difficult it is to read so much that is in newspaper sized type? Every chapter starts out with large type, descends to medium type (still ok) and then the type plummets to minimal size when it gets to the target information. This was totally uncalled for and made reading the book difficult, even with reading glasses.
Would I recommend this book in spite of the print? Definitely. It has a wealth of information intended for seniors.
July 30, 2013
Who doesn’t love Martha Stewart? From bedspreads-curtains-kitchen utensils – cooking… Martha Stewart is a part of our life in some capacity.
I will say this… When it comes to reviewing advice book, diet books, and etc – there will be a feeling of… “Yeah... Yeah... I heard it all before...” I don’t think there’s a perfection health book out there. If there were we bookstores wouldn’t need a section decided to health.
Living The Good Life offers useful tips for anyone that wants to make positive changes in their life/health. Martha did an excellent job with the format of this book. The information is this book is very easy to understand and implement in your daily life.
Below are Martha’s 10 Golden Rules….
1 Eat well
2. Maintain a healthy weight
3. Stay physically active
4. Get quality sleep
5. Wear sun screen
6. Collaborate with a good primary-care doctor regularly
7. Find you passion
8. Connect with others
9. Stop complaining - change what you can, and accept what you cannot
10. Stay curious
4 Stars
Orsayor
I will say this… When it comes to reviewing advice book, diet books, and etc – there will be a feeling of… “Yeah... Yeah... I heard it all before...” I don’t think there’s a perfection health book out there. If there were we bookstores wouldn’t need a section decided to health.
Living The Good Life offers useful tips for anyone that wants to make positive changes in their life/health. Martha did an excellent job with the format of this book. The information is this book is very easy to understand and implement in your daily life.
Below are Martha’s 10 Golden Rules….
1 Eat well
2. Maintain a healthy weight
3. Stay physically active
4. Get quality sleep
5. Wear sun screen
6. Collaborate with a good primary-care doctor regularly
7. Find you passion
8. Connect with others
9. Stop complaining - change what you can, and accept what you cannot
10. Stay curious
4 Stars
Orsayor
August 31, 2013
If you are someone who reads a lot of current science on health, nutrition, exercise, beauty, etc., there is probably nothing new or startling in this book. However, if you admire Stewart because she is one of the most organized people in the world, and she probably has the above topics covered in her well-organized life, then you might like paging through this methodically put together how-to manual for achieving an active healthy older adulthood. It reflects the author's love of lists, planning, and teaching others how to live. Someone who has not been following the trends may find this a very good jumping off point for getting their lives on track with everything from what to talk to your doctor about to how to get a good night's sleep included.
March 9, 2016
If you've ever read anything else by Martha Stewart, you already know her somewhat preachy, know-it-all voice; the fact she's often right doesn't help. My first impression of this book was that we've heard it all before. However, the deeper I dove into it, the more it seemed like a wise friend giving me good advice from personal experience. Yes, she has her own chefs and work-out people, but the tone is friendly and wise. I liked it, and it confirmed a lot of what I had already read about health and well-being as one ages.
March 9, 2014
I flipped through this book in the library and decided to bring it home before realizing it was for people 40+ By the time I did realize it, I was already interested. The path to longevity starts well before you're 40. This is a very basic, wide-ranging book but it didn't feel like it was trying too hard. She had some (not unique) ideas about home organization I enjoyed, and many of the health and wellness tips can be applied to people of all ages.
August 28, 2013
Ugh.... How did she get someone to publish this??? It's like a combination of every magazine article I've read a thousand times! Only 2 new things I hadn't heard about. One for sleep aid, one for joint and muscle pain. All I know is that it's always easier to do said things when you have Martha Stewart's time and money!
October 16, 2013
I admit I didn't finish this because it's hard to read on the Kindle. Much of this is advice that's given in other books and on other websites. If you get this book, get the physical book because it's something you might want to refer back to in the future rather than try and go through bookmarks on your Kindle.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews