The 50s is when most people start to feel the signs of aging and become at a higher risk of developing certain diseases. But, if you take the proper steps and listen to your body, it’s very possible to live a very active and happy life well into your 50s and beyond. It’s all a question of understanding those changes and what causes the body to age prematurely. From then on, you can start to make adjustments to your lifestyle and make improvements. Let’s take a look at a few tips for staying happy and healthy after the age of 50.
Get on a Solid Workout Regime
One of the most important things you should do right now is start moving and embark on a real workout routine if you’ve never worked out seriously before. This isn’t about looking good or boosting performance either. While working out will give you all those things, it will also help you maintain things like your bone density, and muscle mass, and improve your mood, among other things. Strength training is particularly important for older people as it will help you keep your mobility and reduce the risk of you developing issues like arthritis and osteoporosis.
Going into a gym when you’re at that age can be intimidating, however. But you should know that there is an increasing number of gyms catering to people over the age of 50 and you should fit right in if you pick the right one. If you’re looking for a great option, keep an eye out for 55 Fitness, best gym for seniors. If you want to learn more about them, you can check out 55fitness.com.
Change Your Diet
Changing your diet will also become extremely important at your current age. Not only do you have to make sure that you get all the vitamins and nutrients that you need, but some nutrients become even more important as you get over 50.
While a younger person can get away with a slight protein deficiency, for instance, an older person cannot afford to. This is because protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass and strength, and the average person loses about 15% of their total muscle mass from ages 50 to 70. So, if you want to keep your mobility and strength, you will need to start paying closer attention to your protein intake and consider supplementing.
Other nutrients and vitamins that become very important as you age include fiber, vitamin D, and calcium, just to name a few.
Maintain or Improve Social Connections
Having a good social circle is very important as you get older. This will not only help improve your mood but will also have a direct effect on your brain’s chemistry, structure, and overall health. Research has shown that maintaining a social circle could not only enhance cognitive performance and strengthen neural connections but also reduce the chances of someone developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Developing a social circle can become difficult when you’re older, but there are plenty of things that you can do to build a network starting today. One of the simplest things you could do is look at connections you have neglected along the way. Try to see if there are some friends or family members that you haven’t spoken to for a while, and simply give them a call to see how they’re doing.
If you stopped talking to them because of some conflict, try to extend an olive branch and let bygones be bygones. Let them know about your regrets, and that you’d like to get to where you once were. If they don’t accept, it’s fine, but you’ll at least get the satisfaction of having made the effort.
It would also be a good idea to look at social clubs and activities in your area. Now would be a great time to do some charity work, for instance. You could work on issues affecting people of your age group specifically, or on any cause that’s close to your heart. You could also look at sporting activities as they will allow you to connect with new people while getting a good workout.
Consider Senior Living
Now would also be a good time to consider senior living. Some living facilities are pretty much like condos where you can come and go as you please, so shed the old idea of senior homes, and look at the options in your area. And, if you want to do as little as possible and truly enjoy your life, pay special attention to assisted living facilities as they will handle things like laundry, cleaning, and food for you.
These few tips will help you enjoy your 50s and senior years to the fullest. Always remember the importance of having a strong support group around you and start treating your body with more care if you want to keep it working for longer.
