Turning 50 is a major milestone, though there is still a lot of life left to live in your later decades. Maintaining your health is always important, but it’s especially pertinent to pay attention to as you age. Consider some of the following tips to stay healthy as you enter your 5th decade.
Stretch frequently
Maintaining your mobility is a great way to stay healthy and active in your 50s and beyond. It’s easy to get in the habit of not stretching and staying relatively immobile in your later decades, though this can lead to stiffness and soreness that make it difficult to do everyday physical activities.
You can either find a stretching routine for yourself at home or join a pilates or yoga class to get professional help, but regardless, you should be prioritizing your flexibility and regularly stretching once you turn 50.
Maintain a healthy diet
Once you turn 50, there are a variety of bodily changes that both men and women will face. Because of this, you will need to put some increased attention to your diet in order to maximize your health and feel your best once you reach this age.
Getting a good dose of micronutrients–either through your diet or supplements—is a good idea after 50. You’ll also need to reassess your consumption of macronutrients around this age. Many people need to cut back on carbohydrates, moderate Omega 6 fatty acids, and increase the amount of protein in their diet after they turn 50.
Each individual will differ here, but it’s important to keep in mind the hormonal changes that occur during this time that your diet can help manage.
Manage stress levels
At any age, chronic stress can cause a range of problems and negatively impact our health, but it’s even more true after turning 50. Much of this has to do with the increased cortisol and insulin levels in our bodies as we age, so higher levels of stress can lead to weight gain, memory loss, diabetes, and other serious medical issues.
Thus, it’s important to manage your stress in your later decades in order to curb some of these more grave consequences. If you can, identify areas of your life that are particularly stressful for you, and determine how you can best minimize these negative feelings.
Throughout your life, it’s important to prioritize your health and look for ways to optimize both your physical and mental well-being. Once you turn 50, there’s even more of a reason to put effort into maintaining your health so you can enjoy the second half of your life with vigor and excitement.
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Bailey Schramm is a writer in partnership with leading stethoscope distributor Stethoscope.com