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 HOW TO STOP: * WATCH FOR HIDDEN SUGARS: Check the grams of added sugar on nutrition labels and track how much sugar you eat in a day, Naidoo says. Women should aim for no more than 24 grams

(6 teaspoons). For men, it’s 36 grams (9 teaspoons). Sugar is often added to savory foods you wouldn’t expect, such as ketchup, salad dressings, pasta sauces, crackers and pizza. * REACH

FOR FRUIT:  The next time you have a sweet tooth, go for a mandarin orange, mango or pineapple before you grab a sugar-sweetened treat, Arévalo suggests. “Fruit still tastes sweet, but it

provides some vitamins and fiber,” she says.  * SWEETEN FOODS YOURSELF: Flavored foods such as oatmeal and yogurt are loaded with sugar. Instead, buy plain yogurt or oatmeal, and add fresh

or frozen fruit, unsweetened applesauce or even a drizzle of honey or pure maple syrup. Flavored coffee drinks can also pack a sugar load; a better option is to start with an unsweetened

latte and add your favorite sweetener. 4. BAD HABIT: DRINKING TOO MUCH WHY IT’S DANGEROUS: Although most experts say it’s fine to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, excessive drinking is

tied to health conditions including high blood pressure, heart and liver disease, stroke and cancer. Too much alcohol can cause depression, anxiety and sleeplessness, and it weakens your

immune system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines “heavy drinking” as eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more per week for men. HOW TO STOP: * SET SPECIFIC

LIMITS: Try designating one or two alcohol-free days, or set a goal to drink only on weekends. Limit yourself to a specific number of drinks per day. Write your goals down and track how

well you’re meeting them, Arévalo says. If you find yourself constantly making excuses to drink anyway, ask a friend, family member or health professional for support. * PACE YOURSELF: Sip

your drink slowly, and have a glass of water or sparkling water after each alcoholic drink, Naidoo advises. That will help keep you from getting dehydrated and slow you down so you’re not

drinking continuously. You can also choose lower-alcohol alternatives or drinks that are more diluted. Never drink on an empty stomach. * CHANGE YOUR ROUTINE: Many people drink when they’re

bored, stressed or sad, Naidoo says. Before you reach for a drink, reflect on what’s prompting the urge. Then consider whether another activity could be a healthier alternative, whether it’s

meditation, taking a brisk walk or calling a friend for support. 5. BAD HABIT: NOT GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP WHY IT’S DANGEROUS: Lack of sleep has been linked to a raft of health problems,

including obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, poor mental health and early death. Some studies have shown people who get less sleep are at greater risk of

cognitive decline. The biological changes that come with age can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep, but older adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep per night, says

Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist and sleep specialist. HOW TO STOP: * REFRAIN FROM NAPPING, ESPECIALLY LATE IN THE DAY: A nap burns off the chemicals in your brain that tell you to go

to sleep, says Bradley Vaughn, a sleep expert and professor of neurology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. “An occasional nap here and there for 10 or 15 minutes is

OK, but if you’re having trouble sleeping at night, get up and go for a walk during the time when you normally nap,” he suggests. * CONSIDER YOUR MEDICATIONS: Ask your doctor if a medication

could be disrupting your sleep. “Try to make sure medicines that may be sedating are more loaded toward nighttime and medicines that are more alerting are more loaded toward the morning,”

Vaughn says. “So many people take their water pill at night, and then they’re up seven times to pee. Of course they can’t sleep.” * IF YOU CAN’T SLEEP, GET OUT OF BED: If you wake during the

night, don’t lie there feeling anxious. Instead, Breus recommends getting out of bed and writing in a journal or walking quietly around the house, keeping the lights dim. “Some light

movement can help get you ready for sleep without giving you too much energy,” he says. * MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT SLEEP SCHEDULE: If you’re retired, you may not have a lot of structure to

your day, but it’s still important to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day — even on weekends, Breus says. Avoid large meals, caffeine and alcohol within four hours of bedtime.

If you still suffer from insomnia, Breus recommends trying behavioral cognitive therapy before turning to a sleep medication. 6. BAD HABIT: YOU TAKE TOO MANY MEDICATIONS WHY IT’S DANGEROUS:

 Although medications are designed to help us, the use of five or more drugs at a time, called polypharmacy, can be dangerous for older adults. Polypharmacy increases the risk of drug

interactions and side effects, including falls and cognitive impairment, according to the National Institute on Aging. Among the most concerning drugs are opioids such as oxycodone

(OxyContin, Percocet) and hydrocodone (Vicodin), especially if they’re used long-term for chronic pain, says Padma Gulur, M.D., a pain medicine specialist at the Duke Pain Medicine Clinic in

Durham, North Carolina. Anti-anxiety drugs and sleep aids can also be risky, Gulur says, especially benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin), which have been linked to car accidents and falls in

older adults. Even over-the-counter drugs such as Benadryl, Advil and Tylenol can cause problems over time, Gulur says. “Some people do need these drugs, but the goal should be the lowest

effective dose for the shortest effective time,” Gulur says.