Ever notice how some people seem to think when you hit your 50s and 60s life slows down and gets a little boring?
The thing is: getting older doesn’t have to mean slowing down. Some people keep thriving well into their later years. When I see seasoned individuals still living life to the fullest and embracing new adventures, I think to myself, that’s the kind of person I want to be later in life.
But how do they do it?
I’ve been taking note of how mature adults approach life and I’ve noticed a trend, people who thrive in their 50s usually adopt some specific daily habits.
I’m about to share what those habits are so if you’re curious to know how you can keep living your best life well into your golden years, then keep reading.
The good news is these habits aren’t super complicated, there are just a few key things that when done consistently, make all the difference.
Let’s dive in.
1) They eat a balanced and age-appropriate diet
We all know that a balanced diet is the key to good health, right?
What you might not realize is that as you pass your 50th birthday, your body and nutritional needs start to change, and you need to adjust your eating habits accordingly.
As you get older, you’re more likely to gain weight, lose muscle mass, and experience age-related bone loss. Although these are normal parts of aging, it’s important to manage them by eating more protein, less processed foods, and more foods rich in calcium and vitamin D.
“By maintaining a balanced eating pattern that emphasizes key nutrients, you can improve your odds of healthy aging to continue living a dynamic, active lifestyle” explains dietician Katey Davidson, “With small changes to your diet, you can ensure you’re thriving for years to come.”
People who thrive in their 50s know that staying at the top of their game has a lot to do with their diet, they make sure to adapt their eating habits as they age and you should too.
2) They stay physically active
Last year, I went to an adult-only spa resort with my sister and mom. To my surprise, the age range of the guests was probably 50-90 but I noticed something amazing about them.
The resort put on activities and classes throughout the day such as yoga, water aerobics, and spinning classes and most of the guests participated. They were all super active and moved with ease, regardless of age.
From what I could see they were absolutely thriving and their daily dose of physical activity definitely had something to do with it. And it makes sense, right?
Research shows that staying active as you age is vitally important. It doesn’t just keep you fit, it’s also great for your brain and mood, making you feel happier and sharper. It’s also known to help prevent certain diseases and even reduce falls in older adults.
When you notice someone in their 50s or above still flourishing in life, you can be sure being physically active is part of their daily routine.
3) They embrace change and adapt to the times
A lot can change in 50 years, right?
For instance, the first personal computer was introduced 50 years ago in 1974, “however it didn’t do very much. It had no keyboard and no screen, and its output was just a bank of flashing lights”. Think about how far we’ve come since then.
Change is scary, it’s easy to understand why many people resist it and get left behind as a result. But this is not the case for adults in their 50s who are excelling. They find ways to embrace change and adapt to the times daily, so they never get left behind.
You know the ones, think of the tech-savvy over 50s, social media influencers who appeal to a more mature audience, or people who’ve completed their masters after their 50th birthday. None of these things would be possible if these people didn’t embrace change and adapt to the times.
Embracing change is not about becoming an expert in all of the new things, instead, it’s about staying informed about what’s happening in the world and being open to trying new things when you get the opportunity.
4) They stay connected socially
Another thing people who are thriving in their 50s do is stay connected socially. This might mean connecting with family who live far away through video calls but it also means staying connected to their local community and having an active social life.
Research shows that older adults are more likely to suffer from social isolation and loneliness which is why it’s even more important they create habits that keep them socially connected.
The over 50s who are thriving prioritize human connection by keeping in touch with family, joining a club, volunteering, taking a class, or organizing weekly coffee catch-ups or social walks with friends. Although these things might seem small, they’ve got a big impact.
Being socially connected allows them to stay both physically and mentally healthy but it doesn’t happen by accident. As you get older, you’ve got to be more intentional about staying socially connected to others, it’s vitally important you do.
5) They have a purpose
What’s your purpose in life?
It’s a pretty big question I know, but it’s really important. As noted by Tracey Brower PhD, sociologist and author, “Purpose may be the key to happiness.” There are lots of ways to have a purpose in life but many people find it through their work.
The thing is: as you enter your 50s your career is coming to a close and as that transition happens, many people lose their sense of purpose.
The difference is, the 50-something-year-olds who are still thriving in life, continue to have a purpose in life, even after work. Some of them provide mentorship, some volunteer and give back and others embark on new adventures but they all continue to have meaning in life.
One thing is for certain, if you want to thrive in your golden years, you’ve got to continue to have a purpose in life, long after retirement.
6) They cultivate a positive outlook on life
Do you have a positive outlook on life?
Believe it or not: studies show that having a positive attitude toward life as an older adult can positively impact your level of resilience and overall life satisfaction.
Some people are naturally positive and others have to work on it a little more but everyone can adopt a positive outlook on life if they want. The most satisfied and fulfilled people in their 50s and beyond have chosen to cultivate a positive outlook on life.
Here’s the kicker: as well as having both physical and mental health benefits, 2019 research suggests that embracing a positive outlook can help you to live longer too.
The most fulfilled mature adults make a conscious effort to cultivate positivity, and you should too, if you want to live a long and healthy life.
7) They prioritize self-care (including routine health checks)
Self-care is important at every age and that doesn’t change once you hit your 50s but there are some new things you need to consider.
The most vibrant over 50s have daily practices to keep their minds and bodies in tip-top shape. They’re keeping active, spending time in nature, and practicing mindfulness on a daily basis but they’re also getting regular health checks.
“Along with wisdom, age brings greater chances of health problems. You’re more likely to get diseases like diabetes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, and arthritis as the years pass.” notes healthy writer Stephanie Watson.
Some of these diseases don’t have symptoms so by getting checked early and regularly, there’s a higher chance of catching issues early and resolving them quickly.
People who are thriving in their 50s and beyond know that when it comes to their health and possible diseases, prevention is better than cure. They get checked out regularly to make sure they stay healthy as long as they can.
Final thoughts
Maintaining healthy habits throughout your life is one thing, but adopting those habits to suit the stage of life you’re at is next level.
If you’re in your 50s and looking to focus more on your health and wellbeing, or just getting there and wanting to keep everything smooth sailing, adopting these habits is a great move.
Which one are you focusing on first?
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