Lifestyle Advice for Women Over 50

Pursue Your Passions

Opportunities and passions are waiting in the wings of your prime years. So, let's coax them out. We can begin by pursuing exciting new interests. Or perhaps there are passions you would like to rekindle.

Why interests and hobbies matter past 50.

Hobbies become even more critical as we age, as they can help boost our physical and mental health. Some benefits of hobbies are:

• They reduce and help to manage stress
• They challenge the brain, which can decrease cognitive decline
• They support the immune system
• They might (if they are physical activities) support mobility
• They can improve social connections, in turn, enhancing moods

Your available spare time will determine what you can devote to a hobby. However, simply making time for hobbies has proven to benefit our well-being.

Recreational pastimes are fun and bring us joy. If you need more excuses to justify doing what you love, you'll be pleased to know that you gain physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits while pursuing a hobby.

Start by picturing your ideal self.

Your journey of self-discovery starts with a clear vision of your ideal self. To figure out how you want to live and who you would like to be, you need a firm idea of what you strive for. Try sitting in a quiet spot, closing your eyes, keeping your hands nestled comfortably in your lap and taking 3 long, slow breaths in and out. If you are unfamiliar with meditation or relaxation techniques, you may initially feel strange, but persevere. After a while, in your mind's eye, picture somebody entering the room and sitting opposite you. This is your future self in 1,2,5 or however many years ahead. Begin an imaginary conversation with yourself about how they are doing. How do they look? What are they wearing? What are they doing to keep them occupied and well? Conversing with yourself can produce some interesting responses (and not always ones you expect). This may feel odd for some at first, but it can be a great way to focus on setting goals and direction, so try it.

Explore your passions.

What are your passions? Do you have any? A true passion is something that you love to do without needing any encouragement or monetary compensation. (And no, shopping for a new coat doesn't count!)

Doing something you love that much can add depth and meaning to your life. If you have been able to retire, think of all the things you longed to do but couldn't as you were still working. Can you do them now? Write a list and then prioritise them.

Trying something new.

You may have spent the last few decades looking after your home and family. Why not just try something entirely new?

If you have never tried belly dancing before, how do you know whether you would like it or not? What about calligraphy, photography, or painting with oil? Give something a try to see if you like it.

Keep a journal to track your passion for a new hobby or interest.

Keeping a journal, or a diary, as we used to call them years ago, is an effective way to get to know yourself. Use your journaling time for self-reflection and spending time with your innermost thoughts.

Why not make your Passion a Profession?

There is no reason why you cannot expand your new interests into a professional service? You can start this before retiring or expand your entrepreneurial pursuits post-menopause. There are many exciting business opportunities for women over 50 that, once established, provide a fabulous opportunity for passive income and personal fulfilment.