1) Take up a new hobby
When you reach your 50s, you can sometimes feel a bit lost as the children have grown up, meaning that you might not have to do as much running around as you did in the past. So, what can you do to fill your time instead? Well, get out there and try something new!
It could be anything—a new sport, a language or a creative pursuit like photography. This is a great way to meet new people, learn something new and just feel better in general. It can also be a great thing for you and your partner to do together now that you have some free time to spend together again.
2) Exercise every day
I'm not saying that you have to spend hours at the gym every day but make an effort to do some form of activity each day. Some days this could just be walking to work or a quick walk after dinner but try to get a good mix in there. Yoga is a great option in the evening, while a bike ride over the weekend is a great way to get some fresh air and explore your region while getting your cardio up.
Start easy and build up from there. Provided you don't have any health problems like arthritis, there's no reason why you can't be running a 5K within a few months.
3) Cut down on the meat and dairy (or give them up altogether!)
Both meat and dairy are inflammatory foods, which can wreak havoc on your body. Inflammation can worsen joint pain, cause digestive problems and even aggravate problems like depression. Plus, they're also full of unhealthy fats that can contribute to cardiovascular problems.
In fact, processed meats—we're talking stuff like bacon, salami and sausages—are in the same cancer-causing category as cigarettes, asbestos and engine exhaust fumes. Red meat also ranks as "probably carcinogenic to humans," alongside the HPV virus and lead compounds. Yikes!
If you are eating meat, at least make sure it's high-quality organic meat, and try to avoid processed meats as much as possible.
4) Eat more fresh fruits and veggies
Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet can be so easy, and tasty too! Everyone should be eating plenty of fruits and vegetables—half of your plate according to the new 2019 Canadian Food Guide.
I'm not suggesting that you only eat salad for dinner from now on: you can eat pretty much the same meals as before—just pack more vegetables in there.
That chicken curry you're making? Add some cauliflower, peas and red pepper. Better still, swap the chicken for chickpeas or butternut squash.
Love a good stir fry? Add bean sprouts, broccoli, snow peas and baby corn for a deliciously crunchy meal!
You can also make a smoothie to have with breakfast, take some fruit with you to work or add at least two different types of vegetable to each evening meal. For lots of healthy, tasty meal ideas, head to our recipe pages.
5) Practice mindfulness or meditation
Mindfulness and meditation are great ways to reduce stress and give your busy mind a rest. Mindfulness is a simple form of meditation that involves focusing on the present moment, your body and your breathing while letting thoughts come and go rather than trying to block them out as some forms of meditation dictate.
This is a great way to reduce stress, which can damage the immune and digestive systems and even contribute to heart disease and cardiovascular and physiological problems.
6) Take a multivitamin daily
Sometimes even a healthy diet can lack certain vitamins and minerals, especially as soil these days tends to be overcultivated and stripped of nutrients.
7) Keep an eye on your prostate
Did you know that 50% of men over 50 are likely to suffer from an enlarged prostate? While this isn't a life-threatening condition, it can cause unpleasant symptoms that interfere with daily life. Some men find that they need to urinate every hour and get up to pee 4 or 5 times during the night. These symptoms are not conducive to enjoying your 50s.
Try our Prostate Symptom Check now to see whether you might have the condition. If you think you might, book an appointment with your doctor, who will be able to find out for sure.
For some more information, have a look at our Prostate Health hub.
8) Drink at least 2 litres of water a day
An old recommendation, but an important one. Water is vital for good health: it promotes good circulation to deliver nutrients to and remove toxins from your skin and vital organs. It's essential for energy metabolism and can keep your kidneys and bladder in good health. In fact, drinking more water can even help diminish enlarged prostate symptoms.
To avoid supporting the production of wasteful and polluting plastic, find a good-quality water bottle so you won't have to buy bottled water, which is also one of the most overpriced products on earth and often just tap water in a fancy package. Fill your own bottle up and take it with you when you go out, especially during summer. Some bottles even contain compartments that you can fill with fruit to naturally flavour your water, which can be a bit more enticing than drinking plain water all day.
9) Sleep well
Sleep is another vital aspect of health that is often overlooked and even frowned upon sometimes. Have you ever noticed that some people seem to boast about how little sleep they get due to their busy lifestyle or stressful job?
Make sure this isn't you. Aim to get eight hours of quality sleep every night. Snoring, getting up to pee or simply waking up for no apparent reason all contribute to poor sleep.
Many sleep problems are easy to fix. If you always seem to wake up at 3 a.m., the issue could be your liver. If you keep getting up to urinate, drink less in the evening or ask your GP to check for an enlarged prostate. And if you're too warm at night, we have some great tips to keep cool.
10) Look after your skin
There's no reason why men shouldn't look after their skin the same way many women do. Dry skin, pimples and wrinkles can all be caused by poor skin quality and external factors.
Look after your skin by cleaning and moisturising your face every morning and night with good-quality, natural products. Our own comfrey cream is a great moisturiser for aging skin.
Reference:
Known and Probable Human Carcinogens, American Cancer Society.
