Half A Century
Age might just be a number and 50 may be the new 40—but there are still some things we all need to stop doing once we hit that half-century milestone.
Stop Fearing Getting Older
We understand this is easier said than done. But the more we embrace our age, rather than fear it, the more we will enjoy it. Which leads us into...
Stop Trying To Look 30 (For Other People)
This one is as much a product of our vanity as it is the unattainable beauty standards portrayed in the media. But either way, once we hit 50, let's all stop trying to look 20 years younger because that's what we've been told is "attractive". While doing little things to keep ourselves feeling young and looking vibrant are good, let's not go to extremes to de-age ourselves like we're Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci in The Irishman.
Although, as we say that, we also want to say....
Stop Caring What Other People Think
If you read that last entry and said to yourself, "Forget about that, I want to look younger for myself"—then you know what...do it. Who cares what we think. As long as it doesn't hurt anyone, it's safe, and you are doing it for you (and not to please, or live up to, anyone else's perceived standards), then go for it. You've earned it.
Stop Ignoring Your Finances
In our 20s, retirement seemed so far away that saving for our futures wasn't something most of us thought about or cared about. Now, in our 50s, it seems right around the corner. So, if you haven't already, take a look around that corner and see how your finances are stacking up. Will you be able to retire when you want to? How much money will you have to live off of when you do stop working? These are very important questions that you need to ask sooner than later.
Stop Skipping The Gym
A natural part of aging is the loss of muscle. In fact, the process known as sarcopenia begins when we hit 30—at a rate of about 3% to 5% per decade. This means we need to work even harder to make up for that muscle loss and maintain, or even grow, muscle over time.
Stop Avoiding The Doctor
You may be eating your daily apple, but once you hit 50, that won't keep the doctor away—or rather, it shouldn't keep you away from the doctor. 50 is one of those milestone ages where regular checkups and screenings for stuff like blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, etc can catch issues before they become major concerns.
Stop Putting Off Making A Will
We understand it's not the most pleasant thing to do—or thing about. And hopefully it won't come into play for decades, but being proactive and making a will can put your mind at ease that the people you care about will be taken care of and/or won't be burdened with financial stress upon your passing.
Stop Sitting Around
You may have heard that sitting for long periods of time is bad for you. Well, it's true. So, get up and go for a walk. Get into the habit of moving now, so that by the time you're in your 60s and 70s, it's just a normal part of your life. And sitting around isn't just bad for our physical health.
Stop Sitting Around
Moving is important for our mental wellbeing also. Studies have shown that sitting for more than seven hours a day and/or not exercising increases one's chances of having mental health issues.
Stop Wondering What Could Have Been
It's only natural that, as we get older, we look back at our lives and the choices we made and wonder how things could've been different. But, while we should all learn from the past—unless you have a hot tub time machine or a time-traveling DeLorean—there's nothing you can do to change it. And with that in mind....
Stop Ignoring The Present
While we can't change the future, we can embrace the present. It may be a cliché, but "live in the moment" is actually one of the most important things we can do at any age.
Stop Ignoring What You've Learned
While you shouldn't live in the past, learning from the past is oh so important. You know the expression, "those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it"? Well, that is true in regards to our personal histories as well. So, embrace the lessons of your previous decades and use these next decades to do better for yourself (whatever "better" means to you).
Stop Ignoring Hearing Loss
The fact is, that up to 40% of people over the age of 50 have some hearing loss. So, if you do, you aren't alone. Also, if you experience any hearing issues, have them checked out. Now isn't the time to put stuff like that off.
Stop Not Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep is one of the most important factors in relation to a person's health—and while you may have felt like you could get away with less sleep when you were younger, that isn't something you want to continue doing as you get older.
Stop People-Pleasing
We're not saying stop being kind and considerate. Just start thinking about yourself (something many people-pleasers forget to do). Maybe it's time for others to start pleasing you?
Stop Worrying About The Small Stuff
If there's anything we've learnt by the time we hit 50, it's that most of the time, things we stress out about aren't really that big of a deal after all. So, with that experiential wisdom in tow, let's stop stressing about the small stuff right from the get-go.
Stop Holding Grudges
Grudges are a young person's game. There are few things that one could do to you that are "unforgivable". So, unless it falls into that category, why not forgive and move on? And we don't just mean forgiving others...
Stop Not Forgiving Yourself
Nobody's perfect. We all make mistakes. Forgive yourself, learn from your past and work on improving today and tomorrow.
Stop Eating Unhealthy Foods
Like with many of the items on our list, eating healthy is important regardless of one's age. The only difference is that when you're younger, you have more time to change your habits and your body can recover faster from an unhealthy diet. After 50, you really want to create the best, most healthy habits possible for that second half of your life.
Stop Not Hydrating
There may be disagreement with exactly how much water we should be drinking every day—but there's no disagreement about how important staying hydrated is for your health. As we get older, our thirst levels can diminish—which can also lower our daily hydrating, unless we make a point of drinking water throughout the day (even if we aren't that thirsty).
Stop Saying "No" To Your Dreams
And start saying "yes" to things you've always wanted to do and try.
Stop Avoiding Mental Stimulation
While our brains aren't technically a muscle, they have been shown to act like muscles in their ability to get stronger the more we use them. From Scrabble to Sudoku to conversations with friends, keeping your brain active is just as important as keeping your body moving.
Stop Being Scared Of Technology
It's a stereotype that old people can't use or learn new technology. Well, don't be the stereotype. If you need to, ask your kids (or even your grandkids) to teach you. But don't be scared to learn. There is some great tech out there that you might really enjoy.
Stop Forgetting The Sunscreen
You may have ignored the SPF when you were younger, but that doesn't mean you can't start protecting your skin now.
Stop Avoiding That Colonoscopy
The guidelines these days suggest getting your first colonoscopy at 45. So, if you're in your 50s and haven't done it yet, you're already late. Get on it.
Stop Slouching
Proper posture doesn't just look good and make you a little taller—it is also good for your health and can help prevent back pain.
Stop Not Prioritizing Your Important Relationships
Whether it's romance or friendship, giving priority to the important people in your life is something we all need to do more of. It's good for your mental as well as your physical health.