To be fabulous at 50, follow these tips on staying healthy and fit, coping with change and enjoying positive relationships.
Eat well
A balanced, healthy diet will keep you physically fit and feeling good.
Everyone should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. If your kids have left home, you may be less inclined to cook meals. It can be easier to pop a ready meal into the microwave. But maintain the habit of preparing meals. Reduce convenience foods, ready meals and takeaways. These processed foods often contain lots of fat, sugar and unhealthy additives.
Reduce the amount of caffeine and sugary drinks you consume. These will dehydrate you and affect your ability to concentrate. The short-term energy high you get from these drinks will lead to you feeling tired if you drink too much.
Cut down on alcohol as it can lead to strokes and high blood pressure. Women should drink no more than 2-3 units a day, men 3-4 units (one unit is approximately half a pint of beer or lager or a small glass of wine).
Drink plenty of water each day. This will flush out toxins and leave your skin looking clear and healthy.
A good diet will keep your skin, teeth and hair in good condition. It will help you maintain a healthy body weight and also keep your immune system healthy. Eating well will reduce the risks of obesity and developing coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke and cancer.
Find out more about a healthy diet in the Good Food articles.
Don't smoke
Smoking is the biggest cause of death and illness in the UK: 120,000 people die from smoking-related illness each year, including heart disease and lung cancer. Smoking also causes bad breath, yellowing teeth, shortness of breath, and the smell sticks to your hair and your clothes.
Find out more about how the NHS can help you to stop smoking.
Do some exercise
Regular exercise will help you maintain a healthy body weight and reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease and stress, helping you feel energised. Exercise also strengthens your muscles and joints, and helps with mobility and balance.
Exercise moderately for 30 minutes a day. Find an activity you enjoy, such as swimming, walking or dancing. By making changes to your lifestyle, you can include exercise in your daily routine without having to go to the gym or run a marathon.
Walk to work instead of driving, take the stairs instead of the lift, or play with your child or grandchild. Housework can be a way to exercise and shopping is also good as you're walking and carrying bags.
Read these articles to find out more about how and why to exercise.
The menopause
Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 for women (the average age is 52). The menopause occurs when levels of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone fall and your body stops producing eggs. This means you will no longer be able to get pregnant and your periods will stop.
Physical symptoms can include:
• hot flushes
• irregular or unusually light or heavy periods
• aches and pains
• insomnia
• tiredness
• dry or itchy skin
• bladder problems
• loss of vaginal elasticity
• bladder problems
The menopause can also cause emotional symptoms, such as:
• mood swings
• irritability
• panic attacks
• poor memory
• decrease in sexual desire
There are various ways of coping with the changes caused by menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can reduce the symptoms but there are other ways too.
Find out more about the menopause.
Healthy relationships
In your 50s you may find relationships changing. Children move out and have families of their own. The relationship between you and your partner may be different as you've both grown and changed as people.
Embrace these changes. If your grown-up child has moved out, it can be tough to get used to an empty house. Give yourself time to adjust. Enjoy the free time and peace and quiet. Take up a new hobby or activity, or invite friends over.
People tend to put all their energy into family and work life. Perhaps you haven’t considered the needs of you and your partner as a couple for a while.
You may need time to readjust. Get to know your partner all over again. They won’t be the same as they were when you first met, so rediscover them. Ask about themselves and their interests. Speak to them about your needs and what you want out of the relationship. Take time to think about your future, retirement plans, and where you both want to be.
Make time together to do the things you enjoy. This could be going to the theatre, joining a cookery class or taking up a sport such as badminton or swimming. This is the time to put a fresh sparkle into your relationship.
Get in the mood
Injecting a little passion into your life will put a spring in your step and keep you feeling young. Having sex connects you and your partner physically and emotionally.
Take time to enjoy and appreciate each other. Don’t be shy about asking for what you want. Explore each other’s bodies and find out what you both enjoy. Do what feels comfortable for you both.
Read more advice for having good sex.
