Our Top Easy Wellness Changes We Can Make in Midlife

Now that I’m in my 50s, I’m feeling some of the affects of age. Thing is, my mind doesn’t feel as old as my body does most days, and I refuse to slow down, but my mind doesn’t always meet my body in the middle. I’m out to change that with these easy wellness changes we can make in midlife.

Let me back up a little though. When someone asks me how old I am — which still happens more than it ought to — I inwardly cringe when the number comes to mind. Am I really that old? How the hell did that happen? And wait a minute, why am I referring to myself as old, and how do I stop that?

Age is a number. I know that’s a cliche that not everyone is fond of, but I have to believe it or the way my knees crack as I go down the godawful stairs in the morning will have me depressed before I get to the coffee maker. If age was everything, we’d all be destined for the same fate of giving up or giving in sooner than our minds are ready for it.

Our age helps our doctors learn more about our physiology, and it helps us apply for social security (or disability) at some point. It also gives us the right to drink, to vote, and to live on our own. Our age can be a very positive thing, but when you suddenly realize you’re solidly in the second half of life, we can start regretting the things we didn’t do yet or how so much of our life is gone. That can overshadow our desires to make the most of the time we do have left, and for many of us, that’s still a long time.

In my late-50s now, my hair is pretty grey at least half of its length. I honestly don’t know, because I’ve dyed it purple for so long. I don’t feel like I have the pretty silver I see on many women, and I like purple, so I’m choosing to keep it that way. I’ve got the kind of jawline that sags and I’m pretty sure that if I had solidly grey hair, I’d look older than the real number. Call me vain, I don’t care, but I’m not ready for that.

I’m also dealing with a lot of other things women my age face. Menopause happened almost 30 years ago, so I’m used to some of the lovely side affects and long over much of it. I don’t sleep as well as I used to, my metabolism slowed down to the speed of a seal trying to crawl up an icy 75-degree incline in the dead of winter while wearing socks, and my skin is starting to get those tiny little crepe-y dry lines that make me look like I’ve laid in the desert for a day.

I also lose my phone about 10 to 15 times a day, but we all do that, right?

On the other hand, as long as my RA cooperates, I can spend the day hiking around Disneyland or up and down the stairs at a NASCAR race. I can ride 15 miles on my Bowflex and still move when I dismount. My hair holds the purple color well and I’ve found that goat’s milk moisturizer is the chef’s kiss of easy skin care.

Still, I’m looking for ways to make life easier as I age. I don’t want to age gracefully, that takes more time and money than I want to spend; I just want to age as actively and as pain-free as I can, letting go of society’s norms about how long my hair should be, if I should even still be coloring it, and what kind of jeans I should wear. (For the record, I still prefer skinny jeans but I did branch out this year and get a couple pair of boot cut jeans. I’m still on the fence.) Here are a few things I’ve found that help me.

Top Easy Wellness Changes We Can Make in Midlife

Supplements: I have found that taking two magnesium glycinate capsules about an hour before bed does wonders for my sleep. No more waking around 1am-2am, listening to my husband and the dogs snore while I think about a typo I made last month and if I should set up my protein powder for auto-renewal on Amazon. I could swear it’s also helped boost my metabolism. There are also others I’m taking, like fish oil, DHEA and Vitamin C. They are reportedly all helpful with cortisol levels and I’m so here for that right now. (More on that in another post.) Think about areas where you need some help, do the research, and consider trying a few things out! (I’m not a doctor, that’s not medical advice, and always seek the help of an actual professional!)
The Noom app: I’ve been a Noom partner in the past, but I’ve remained a continuous daily user of the well-rounded app. It is a paid service, full disclosure, but I love the calorie tracking, the behavioral approach it takes to food (which translates to many other things we deal with in life) and how it keeps me accountable to being mindful of what I consume. And, if I need it, I have a personal coach. So helpful.
Intentional Movement: working at home, I have a really hard time getting my steps in daily, so I reset them to a realistic level that I can attain without beating myself up. It takes a little effort some days, but I get far less stiff when I sit for extended periods of time, and everyone who lives in Southern California knows that traffic can mean an hour in the car to go 20 miles. Staying active when I can has so many health and wellness benefits.
Meal planning: I take 30-45 minutes every Sunday morning to go through all of the food posts I’ve saved on Instagram throughout the week, making a grocery list after selecting five things to make for dinner during the week. I post our meal plan on our pantry door chalkboard, and the hardest part is selecting which meal to make each day.
Staying on top of healthcare: I see a number of doctors for my RA and a knee problem, and I see my PCP every six months to check my cholesterol and blood pressure. Writing these in my planner (digital or paper, whatever works for you) makes sure I don’t miss them or my dental cleanings and check-ups either. Wellness is everything in our life, and health is just a part of general wellness, but it’s a doozy so don’t overlook it.
Finding a skincare routine you can keep up on: moisturizers and hair care products don’t need to be expensive to work, but sometimes a little extra money is worth it. I love to know my hair smells good and that I’m doing all I can to prevent more brown spots. A good scent and soft hair just makes me feel good, and being happy with little things can go a long way towards wellness. Have you ever tried gua sha? I swear by it!
Yoga or pilates — or both: stretching and toning not only helps strengthen your body, but it feels good. I can squat down to hug a dog without getting stuck and I love the feeling of laying on a mat after my practice is done, almost able to fall asleep right on the spot. I have soft lights and I burn incense while listening to zen or meditational music using Spotify on my new Alexa Pop. (It’s tiny, comes in different colors, and I got it for $19 on Prime Day. The speaker is pretty amazing for a small machine that fits on my shelf.)
Pamper yourself: I don’t mean spending tons of massages (though those are pretty sweet) but purposely buying and doing things that make you smile. Mental health is everything. I bought a new Amazon Fire Max on Prime day and I keep it loaded with good fiction books as well as a few non-fiction when I’m in the mood for more of an educational read. Reading on an early morning or late night makes me happy. I also pick a restaurant that I’ve wanted to go and visit it for lunch or grab a glass of wine at the nearest winery when I’ve finished errands. It doesn’t need to be a big thing, or even a material object. Sitting on the beach can do wonders to clear your mind.
Spirituality, in whatever way you define it: it can be religion, the universe or whatever power or feeling you believe in. I’m a big crystal person, and a fun field trip is spending an hour browsing through a store’s selection.

My yoga room is my quiet place. It’s not decorated a lot, but I also tried real hard to avoid clutter, as for me, clutter is the enemy of calm. My Alexa dot sits on the shelf with a couple of soy candles (better for the air), some crystals, and an incense burner that emits cool shadows when the light hits it right or I use it for a tea light. The white lights edge the window, providing a faint light if I use the room with those blackout curtains that also keep out the heat on a very sunny day. It also doubles as a guest room, even with the weight equipment that all has its place in the closet in cubby units. Having this space to practice or workout has made all the difference.

There are a lot of top easy wellness changes we can make in midlife, but if you want to start them sooner, you’ll reap the benefits even longer. You’ll also develop good habits that will make things so much easier. Don’t let the word “midlife” bother you — it’s “mid,” which means you have so much time left. Maximize it all by taking steps now towards a healthier future!

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