If you are 50+, you are old enough to remember how the lifestyles of your grandparents and even your parents differed from yours. You may remember your grandmother in a “housedress,” hair rolled into a bun, cooking and cleaning. And as she got older, she took up “hobbies” such as knitting, church socials, and maybe some gardening. Perhaps your grandfather retired after years at the same company and took up shuffleboard with his buddies at the local senior center or played chess in the park. He read the local newspaper from cover to cover.
In the words of a Bob Dylan song, “The Times, They are a Changin,’” your aging years are already very different.You may have already lived more than half a century, but the best may be yet to come. It’s up to you.
Let’s unpack what you should be doing to make the last half of your century (or hopefully much of it) vibrant, exciting, and personally fulfilling.
Physical Fitness
Maintaining your physical health is a key factor in your ability to have a robust senior life.
Exercise
At 50+, you may still be going to the gym for workouts. Good for you. Keep it up. As you continue to age, they may become less rigorous, but there are plenty of workout plans for seniors that will keep you agile and fit.
If the gym is not your thing, there are still other options.Staying fit means staying physically active – walking, running, playing tennis, aerobics, for example – or other activities that increase your heart rate and circulation.
As you age more, the physical activities may become too strenuous, of course. So, you choose those that will still exercise your body parts. Walking is always good, and if you can get up to 10,000 steps a day, you’re well in the ballpark of staying fit.
Another great fitness activity is chair yoga. If you haven’t heard of it, get thee online and discover it. There are some great videos to take you through all of the routines – keeping you toned and fit.
Diet and Nutrition
Fast food was great in your 20s and 30s. But now is the time to re-evaluate what you are consuming. High fat and sugar diets are simply adding to your weight and, more important, your cholesterol numbers.
It’s hard to make these diet changes. Many believe that meals will become dull, boring, and tasteless. Not true at all. Meals that include chicken, fish, beans and rice, along with fresh veggies and fruits, can be amazing and quite flavorful with the right combinations of seasonings and cooking techniques. It’s time to do some research. Or, if you can afford it, use a meal delivery service that will do it for you.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are all conditions created by poor diet. Don’t let this be you.
And just to sweeten the pot – once a month, reward yourself with a Big Mac and fries.
Annual Physical Checkups
Yes, they are critical. Once a person reaches 50, physicals should be an annual event – no exceptions. These checkups, along with the blood work involved, will alert you and your doctor to any conditions that may be developing. Then, a plan of prevention can be developed.
Mental Fitness
If you are still working, your mind is still active, and that is always a good thing. But as you look toward retirement, you will need to develop a plan for how you will stay mentally active.
Here are some suggestions to do just that:
- Plan to take on part-time gigs related to your career skills
- Think about courses you may want to take that will push you in new directions
- Take up a new hobby that will require you to engage in some critical and/or creative thinking – even music and art can fit this bill. Others might include chess, bridge and such – games that require strategies
- Make a bucket list of books you have always wanted to read but haven’t had the time for
There are just so many ways for you to keep your mind alert and active – pursue them vigorously.
Love and Romance
Are you single? It’s more common at age 50+ than most people realize. Empty nesters realize that they have nothing holding a marriage together once the kids are gone. They are ready to begin new lives separately.
Another unfortunate circumstance? People have become widows or widowers at this young age.
If you are single, then perhaps it’s time to explore the world of senior dating. But that world has changed a lot.
Traditional dating may involve being “fixed up” on blind dates by friends; it may include joining local singles groups in the hopes of meeting someone who has compatible interests and dating goals. But in this digital age, dating has also changed – a lot.
You may want to think about joining a dating app or two. They have become quite sophisticated in their matching processes, and you will meet local prospects that you never would have met otherwise. They are easy to join, and most allow you to filter matches by dating goals, interests, locale, and more.
The biggest benefit of dating sites and apps is that you can chat up several prospects at once, at your convenience, and get to know those prospects before ever setting up an in-person date. Yes, technology and efficiency has taken over the world of dating.
Are You Ready for Your Best Senior Years?
If you follow the map and recommendations that have been laid out for you here, you can really have an exciting, fulfilling, and rewarding life after 50. It’s yours for the taking – go for it!
