As we age, it’s important to shift our focus away from concerns about health and appearance and instead embrace each day with joy and self-love. Rather than letting worries take over, it’s time to celebrate the wisdom and beauty that come with experience. Here is a list of things women often begin to stress about after 50 but really shouldn’t.
Relationship Changes
It’s common for relationships to change, even more so when we age. GransNet advises women, “Whatever your past, you should only ever enter into a new relationship with hope and optimism. If it feels too soon, it likely is, so talk it through and find out if it’s worth fighting for.”
Financial Stability
Financial stability can be a huge stress for women over 50, but it doesn’t have to be. You can build funds in the case of an emergency, such as a job loss or for medical purposes. There are also the options of life or disability insurance to consider, which can make things easier for loved ones.
Being Afraid of Uncertainty
It’s normal to feel uncertain about life. It has so many ups and downs that no one can ever predict what’s around the corner. It can be wise to focus on the present moment, as this reduces stress and anxiety. If this is hard to do, there are mindfulness exercises to try out.
Becoming an Empty Nester
It’s normal for children to leave the nest around the time a woman turns 50, give or take a few years. Instead of feeling like there’s a lack of purpose in life, it’s the perfect time to try out new hobbies and passions that you didn’t have time to pursue while children were still living at home.
Losing Independence
This can be a common fear for aging women. As we get older, we need to rely on people more, but with the right lifestyle, this doesn’t have to be for a long time. Keeping active and healthy means you stay more fit and can do more things on your own.
Not Having Enough Time for Personal Pursuits
You’re still young enough to follow your dreams, whether that’s writing a book or going skydiving; age doesn’t limit this. For example, Forbes writes, “Women over 50 are achieving their best success after 50. Rather than just hanging on, experience and wisdom now mean our most productive days are in front of us.”
Divorce
It may be the case that women over 50 are seeing more and more of their friends getting divorced and it makes them fearful for their own marriage. However, it doesn’t mean divorce is around the corner for you. There are many things you can try to save a marriage first, such as counseling or talking through issues together.
Not Finding a Support System
You may think that becoming older means a smaller support system, especially with children leaving home and your family suddenly feeling smaller. Try to surround yourself with positive friends and family. It’ll help them to be there for you and you can be there for them.
Cognitive Decline
Cognitive decline can become a concern as we age, especially if we’ve seen this happen to older relatives. It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to give our brains the best chance. This can include eating a balanced diet, regular exercise, and taking time to challenge our brains with puzzles.
Feeling Socially Isolated
Balance tells us, “According to the Office for National Statistics, women (24%) are more likely than men (20%) to feel lonely at least some of the time.” With women more likely to feel lonely, it’s important to put measures in place to prevent this. There are options, such as joining new groups or maintaining strong relationships with friends and family.
Losing Passion for Career and Personal Growth
Women over 50 can start to feel less passionate about their careers or growth. Instead of looking at this time negatively, it’s important to put a positive spin on it. If you wish you had studied, there’s still time to go to college. There’s also time to change careers, especially as retirement is still a fair few years away.
Weight Gain
Verywell Health writes, “Weight gain during menopause is a common complaint. Research shows over 43% of menopausal women have obesity and that women gain about 1.5 pounds per year during their 50s and 60s.” However, this doesn’t have to be inevitable. With the right exercise and diet, it can be avoided.
Heart Disease
The thought of heart disease can be very worrying, but older women should know it’s avoidable. For example, the World Heart Federation writes, “There are many risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke. Some risk factors, like family history, cannot be modified, while others, like high blood pressure, can be modified through lifestyle interventions and treatment.”
Drinking Too Much Alcohol
As long as women over 50 stick to the recommended daily intake of alcohol, they don’t have to worry about drinking too much. There can be harmful effects that come from overdrinking, but a glass of wine every now and then won’t pose a health risk. Otherwise, women can try alternatives, such as herbal tea in the evening.
Retirement
While it’s important to plan for retirement, it shouldn’t cause anyone too much stress. There are things women can do to reduce this stress, such as being on top of their finances or building up a savings account. There are also professionals who can help a person plan for retirement.
Physical Appearance
A person’s appearance is going to change as they get older; it’s inevitable. Hair is going to turn gray, and bodies are going to start going south. But it doesn’t have to be fought. Women can embrace their changing bodies, which only gives them an abundance of confidence.
The Small Stuff
Women can find that they sweat the little things more in their later years. Even though it can cause large amounts of stress, it’s important to only focus on the things you can control in life. There are many exercises to reduce stress, such as meditation and yoga.
Health
It’s important to have regular health checkups after you turn 50, and doing this can help to stop any worry about your health. It means any conditions can be found early on, making them easier to treat. Things such as blood pressure can be measured at home and regular eye and dental checks will keep a person healthy.
Not Getting Enough Vitamin D
It’s common to have a vitamin D deficiency and it’s something that can lead to different health issues. We get the majority of our vitamin D from sunlight, and living in a cloudy or cold country can make this difficult. Older women shouldn’t have to worry about this, as there are many supplements that can be bought.