The shift: life, health and priorities after 50

Collaborative Post | Turning 50 often brings about wide ranging shifts in our bodies, social lives and priorities. Physically, we tend to recover more slowly as we age, our energy levels are prone to fluctuation, hormones change, and we may start to rethink the things that matter most to us.

Our careers and family roles often evolve too, we might find ourselves caring for elderly parents, welcoming grandchildren into our lives, and perhaps starting to consider retirement.

In the midst of so much change, self-care can often slip down our list of priorities, right when we might need it most. In the face of so much flux and uncertainty, there are ways to build a feel-good routine that actually sticks - even with a busy life.

Photo by Logan Nolin on Unsplash

Reframe what self-care means

Self-care isn’t just about pampering ourselves or splurging on expensive products - it’s about tending to your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing in a way that supports you to show up in your life as you’d like to.

It includes things like fuelling your body well, setting reasonable boundaries, and moving in ways that preserve our strength and mobility.

You’ve likely spent decades looking after other people, but it’s okay to put yourself first sometimes. If you’re looking to improve your self care habits, start by asking yourself “What helps me feel calm, strong and recharged?”

Start small: build micro-habits that matter

Building new habits can be challenging, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed or like you don’t know where to begin - start small. Five minutes of deep breathing in the morning, a short walk after dinner, or drinking a glass of water before your morning coffee can all act as meaningful ways to get started on your self-care journey.

If you’re worried that small changes won’t amount to much, bear in mind that wholesale changes to our life often fail to stick, but smaller, consistent actions can more easily become embedded routines. These small changes may seem insignificant in isolation, but stack them together and they can amount to a powerful improvement that feels effortless to maintain.

You can even try linking new habits to things you already do - like stretching whilst the kettle boils, or applying hand cream as a mindfulness ritual.

It’s important to celebrate progress, not perfection; every small step forward counts.

Move in ways that feel good - not punishing

Exercise after 50 can feel different - our joints may be stiffer, and our recovery slower, but movement is arguably more important than ever.

Strength training can support bone density and balance, walking is great for our heart health and mood, and yoga and pilates are great options for flexibility and stress relief.

It’s okay if these workouts aren’t intense, it’s more important to ensure they’re enjoyable, and regular.

You could opt to treat yourself as a reward for your exercise routine - perhaps book a massage, or buy yourself some fresh flowers - our reward centres can be a powerful ally when trying to form new habits.

Make space for rest and recovery

Rest is vital to feeling well - especially as hormone levels change and good quality sleep may be harder to come by.

There are many things we can do to improve our chances of a restful sleep; winding down our tech use a few hours before bed, keeping our bedroom cool and dark, and having a warm drink as we wind down can all be effective ways to boost our sleep.

Giving your nervous system a break is a legitimate form of self-care, so a guilt-free daytime nap, cup of tea in silence, or a refreshing facial isn’t laziness - it’s restoration.

Self-care that feels good

Self-care in your fifties is about tuning into your needs, not tuning out the world. If you’re looking to build a self-care toolkit, start small, be kind to yourself, and remember that anything that helps you feel calm, strong and recharged is a legitimate option.

You’ve spent years looking after others - now it’s time to look after yourself - and enjoy doing it.

​
Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.