5 Things You Should Do For Yourself Over 50

5 Things You Should Do For Yourself Over 50

All of us turn 50 at least once. For some reason that is just such a significant number in our lives. Up to this point, many of us have been juggling so many roles in life. Just a few of those are being a parent, being a spouse, caring for a parent, having a career, and sometimes we get to keep up with friendships. The good news is that once 50 is a part of our reality some of our time gets freed up. Now we can start taking more time for self-care and self-love. There are things you should do for yourself and not feel guilty about them. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

What is interesting is that around the time I turned 50 I started seeing a female counselor. I was working on some issues in my life and knew that I needed an outside perspective. A little help to get me going in the right direction. During one of the sessions, I remember her telling me that most women that she saw started coming into their own in their late 40s and early 50s. She made me think during and after our sessions about what I needed to make me happy. Some of these things I was already doing and some I had to implement.

All that being said, between her guidance and all of my thinking there are things you should do for yourself regularly. I am sure there are many more that could be added to the list; however here are things I feel that every woman should do for herself. Me included.

Do “Something” That You Have Always Wanted to Do

We all know that there is something that we have always wanted to do. It could be as simple as taking a knitting class or running a 5k. Some of us want to change careers or start a business of our own. Now is the time to make that happen for yourself. It is something that will make you excited to get up in the morning. Something to look forward to that is just for you.

This will also help you keep learning. Learning new things is so good for our brain health. It helps to keep us young, sharp, and interesting.

Move Your Body

Yes, find some sort of activity that you enjoy. It is so important as we age to keep our bodies in good shape. Not only does it keep the middle aged middle away, but it helps with stress. Keeping stress levels lower helps us get our beauty rest every night too. Thus, lots of reasons to move.

In my 40s I experienced a fitness journey that you can read about here. Now I will admit that my journey was a little more extreme than most people’s. It was something that I did for myself. I challenged myself in ways that I had never challenged myself and learned that I was capable of doing so much more than I ever imagined. That journey has changed my life in so many ways. Just prioritizing time to move your body on a regular basis makes you a happier person in oh so many ways. I jokingly say that it makes me a better wife and cat mom.

If you need some helpful tips to get going on evercise after 50 you can read about them here. One way that I like to get a workout in is with my friends. Yes, I have a couple of workout BFFs. Our life schedules are very different, yet many times the way that we get to see one another is by getting in a workout together. You can read about some of the things that we do to spend time together and get a workout in here.

Get Outside

Yes, move your body outside whenever possible. Research is constantly showing how important that is to do. Yes, just get out and go for a walk around the block. Do a little gardening. Sit outside and enjoy your morning cup of tea or coffee. That natural Vitamin D does wonders for the body and the soul.

Make Girlfriend Time a Priority

Put it on your calendar. Whether it is a coffee date, a fun afternoon of shopping, a phone call, or sharing some wine and dinner make it a date. Research shows that having good friendships is related to happiness and god mental health in older adults.

Many times we need to make new friends becuase of moves or just life circumstances. It is not an easy thing to do as we age. Psychology Today has some great tips for making friends in mid-life and beyond that you can read.

Be Still

I know this sounds silly. Just think about it for a minute. How often do you just take the time to sit still and just be? Unless we schedule quiet time so that it becomes a habit, we probably don’t do it. It doesn’t have to be for long. 5 or 10 minutes a day.

Put your phone down, sit somewhere that it is quiet, go outside and listen to the sounds around you (hopefully they are relaxing). Pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee and just mentally prioritize your day. Meditate. Take a few deep breaths and then it is amazing how much you will feel about your day and things you should do for you.

There is a book about this that I really like called Coffee Self-Talk. It is a great read about talking to yourself during your 5 minutes a day of stillness. Highly recommend it.

Compliment Yourself EVERY Day

Yes, look in the mirror and say something nice to yourself. So many times we are our own worst critics. Find something that you like or love about yourself and remind yourself every day.

Also, add something that you are grateful for at the end of the compliment. We can be grateful for little things. Think about getting a good night’s sleep, and feeling good because you were able to move your body. Little things you should do for yourself like this add up and come back to us in positive ways.

Things You Should Do For You

I hope that you can make some of these things habits in your life like I have made them my habits. Some days I don’t do all of them and that’s OK. It takes time to realize that we have to make our lives and inner happiness a priority. As long as we are aware that we need to do some of these things and other things to ensure that, then we are on the right track. As long as we are making progress.

THANKS

As always, thanks so much for stopping by. I am grateful for each read, forward, share, and pin. If you are not doing some of these things for you, then I hope that reading this will make you think about the things you should do for you that will make you feel complete and happy in your 50s and beyond.

Hugs,