People say 50 is the new 40. According to a Harris Interactive poll that surveyed over 2,000 people, the “perfect” age is 50. Men and women from all age groups around the country said 50 as the age they’d be happy staying. In 2003, this same poll said the “perfect” age was 41. Taking steps to live a healthy and balanced life after 50 can keep you feeling the “perfect” age for several years.
Eat right and exercise more
As you probably know, eating right and exercising is key to living a healthy and balanced lifestyle. However, these two things are usually the hardest tasks. Make sure to fit in protein, fruit, vegetables, healthy fats, and fiber into your daily diet. Stay within healthy portions of each food type, too.
Staying active is a must to live a healthy life. Exercise comes in many forms, though; working out in a musty gym isn’t your only option. Look into outdoor yoga classes or take a walk around your neighborhood with friends.
Adopt a pet
Another way to remind yourself to exercise is to adopt a dog. Knowing you have someone relying on you for daily exercise will help you stay active. Pets are also good for keeping their owners happy. Studies have proven that people with pets live longer and happier lives than those without pets.
Get adequate sleep
Lack of sleep or poor sleep, in general, can cause health issues mentally and physically. The proper amount of sleep allows you to have a better cognitive function, which is necessary for living a balanced life after 50.
Be social
Since many 50-year-olds are empty nesters, it’s easy to become a hermit. If you avoid social interaction for too long, you can end up developing depression. It’s good to go outside and interact with others at least once a day. Check out your local community center or church for planned activities each month. This way, you can keep up healthy social relationships.
Quit unhealthy habits
Everyone has some type of unhealthy habit, but the two main ones are smoking and excessive drinking. If you’re a smoker or excessive drinker, consider cutting back. Health risks rapidly increase as people turn 50. Stopping cold turkey could prevent serious health problems and help you live well past your 50s.
Keep your brain active
Although people over 65 are more apt to develop Alzheimer’s, it never hurts to start trying to prevent the disease earlier. To lower your risk for Alzheimer’s, try some brain exercises each day. Keep your brain active by doing puzzles, reading, and creating things with your hands, such as painting or knitting.
Clear clutter
A way to live a healthy and balanced life at any age is clear clutter. Have a garage sale for anything you don’t need. Store your valuables and keepsakes in an airtight storage bin and rid yourself of anything else that is simply taking up space.
Take precautions with your health
50 is the magic age most doctors recommend several annual screenings. Learn which screenings you should get and schedule them. Whether the illness or condition runs in your family or not, get any screening you have available to you. Screenings such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and bone density tests are common screenings for people 50 and older.
Your 50s and beyond should be some of your best days. You want to take these steps to live a healthy and balanced life after 50.
