Once you reach 50, you have to work harder to take care of your wellbeing and guard it against major health concerns. However, incorporating a few simple, wellness principles into your lifestyle can help you to eat healthily, stay fit and live well over 50:
1. Eat healthy fats: There’s no denying that saturated fats are bad for your arteries and heart health but, if that wasn’t enough to deter you from eating them, they can also damage your memory and concentration. This means that your heart AND brain are at risk unless you cut down on red meat, butter, and other foods high in saturated fats. That’s not to tar all fats with the same brush, however, as some fats can even have a positive effect on your heart and brain. Therefore, try to up your intake of fatty fish and fats from plants, like flaxseed and nuts.
2. Fill the empty nest: No one likes it when their kids leave home. Ok, you might like it a little bit at first, but then empty nest syndrome kicks in and you’re left knocking around a big, quiet house by yourself, or just you and your partner. However, if the quiet and space is troubling you, why not fill it again by adopting a pet? Not only does this do wonders for your mental and emotional health, but having a pet like a cat or a dog may in fact lower your cholesterol levels along with your risk of heart disease. Pet owners are also less likely to need to visit the doctors’. Wellness experts aren’t too sure as to why this is, but, at the very least, having a dog means you have to go for a walk everyday, which is always good for your health.
3. Protect your joints: You may be worried about how running may affect your bones and joints, but hitting the big 5-0 doesn’t mean you have to give up your morning run (my Dad’s just turned 51 and ran his 12th marathon on his birthday). In fact, a new study has even gone so far as to suggest that running may actually strengthen your knees, and research has shown that running doesn’t raise your risk of arthritis. However, if you do have arthritis or damaged joints already, running might be one speedy step too far. Still, low-impact exercise like walking or biking is vital for strengthening your muscles, supporting your joints and lessening your pain, no matter what conditions or injuries you might have, so talk to your doctor about a suitable exercise programme.
4. Rediscover your sex life: Your sex life changes as you get older, but that doesn’t mean a turn for the worse; being that little bit older and wiser means you’ve got more experience, you’re more confident, and you’re just so much better at it than you were when you were in your twenties. The fact that you’re in a different stage of life means you have fewer hang-ups and constraints to worry about, like the kids walking in on you, or even making new kids! However, because older people are starting to realise that they’re less tied to the worries of family planning, rates of STIs have skyrocketed in this age group so make sure you still wear protection if you’re having sex with someone new.
5. Don’t stop learning: Just because you’ve got more knowledge and experience under your belt doesn’t mean that you’ve seen and done it all – surprise yourself! Don’t stick with the familiar and the comfortable; go out and look for new places, friends and experiences. Always wanted to travel or play like Hendrix? Start learning a language or taking guitar lessons. Not only is this good for the soul, but new experiences will build new pathways in your brain, keeping your mind healthy as you age.