To ask for your top tips as I lurch into late 40s

[GingerPanda]

I'm going to be 47 very soon, in the next few days... The prospect of yet another birthday is not really very enticing, though I recognise it is certainly better than the alternative. I thought I'd ask those of you who may be a similar age or perhaps a bit older for your top tips as 50 approaches.

I'm in decent health, bit more of a belly than I really want but not 'officially' overweight, one much loved and happy kid in primary school, no money worries. I am lucky in so many ways. No sign yet of perimenopause yet, though I'm quite scared of that to be honest.

I do have lots of stress in my life however from work and marriage, to the point where recently I've been getting some chest pain which has prompted some reflection! My life is pretty flat and I've lost a lot of enthusiasm and oomph since my child was born, mostly due to relationship difficulties.

So what can I do to stay in good health, get more energy and positivity, and generally wake up in the morning feeling good about the day ahead? And keep feeling that way for the next 20 plus years?

Any kind of tips welcome! Appearance, diet, psychology, finances, attitude, whatever... Thanks for all and any suggestions 😁

Exercise. It makes everything better.

I'd say eat well if you can and don't go without. Buy quality tea bags if you love tea. Buy expensive coffee if you love coffee. Light a candle, buy nice shampoo. Life is short. To reach 50 would be an honour.
What I'm trying to say is live your life the way you want to.
I don't really exercise as such but love going for long dog walks

I agree with exercise, great for physical and mental health. Strength training is especially important for women as we age so try to fit that in, it’s pretty easy to buy some weights and do a program online at home. Walking outside is also great so a combo of the two with maybe a bit of yoga as well (can do that online too) can really help counter stress and make you feel good about yourself. Now I’d the time in life to start prioritizing your well being so don’t ever feel guilty about it, put yourself first!

Hate to say it but the thing that made the biggest difference to me post 45 was giving up alcohol.

Yoga and walking.

See the doctor about your chest pains.

Lots of sleep, water and fresh air/exercise.

And laughter 😃

exercise and HRT when you need it!

Surround yourself with beauty

Find something you love to do and do it. Just for yourself. Dial down any stress.

• Review your work. If you hate it, change it.
• Give fewer shits about what people think
• Yoga, mindfulness, meditation
• Read up on perimenopause so you are armed with knowledge
• Accept that you are ageing. Accept that you have the right to do it as disgracefully as you want
• Look for the liberating moments - I'm 55. They're a thing.

These are great, thank you!

Pointy, what is a liberating moment?

Everyone, yes, exercise is good, I don't even hate it like I once did, I've never quite managed to make it a habit but I need to prioritise it now.

Errol, what is your thing that you do for yourself if I can ask?

I should go to doc about chest pain, I know, but they might want to take me off the Pill (mini pill not combined) and I don't want to open up that can of worms. I will go though if the pain doesn't resolve soon.

Alcohol ... Yep. I know I should cut down. It's not great for the 5am anxiety is it.

If your relationship isn't good, then i recommend divorce.

HRT

Amazing sex.

Travel

Remembering what used to bring you joy, and doing more of it

"To reach 50 would be an honour." This is very true thank you.

Exercise and magnesium

I had a health scare at 46, lost 3 stone and started running.

Also gave up booze. Feel excellent and I'm fitter than I've ever been in my life. Just sorry that it took me so long to realise how good it feels to be fit!

I turned 47 last weekend. I had a flat, fatigued feeling a few years back and associated that with perimenopause and am on HRT including testosterone.

I agree on exercise- yoga/Pilates and strength training. But just walking a lot. I take B12 and iron for energy and cognition. Tretinoin for your skin. Regular dentist check ups. Check blood pressure regularly too.

Joyful exercising! I rollerskate and skateboard with my DS, which I hadn't done in years - it's just the most uplifting and fun way to exercise and it's now our 'thing'. I absolutely love it!

I'm 45 and my son and I are defining our "rules for happiness" including exercise we have:

1. Always have a trip booked, even if its not "travel abroad" just a date in the diary to see friends or loved ones.

1. CONSTANT ACCESS TO SLICED MELON. I can't really explain why this is imperative but it is. Sliced melon completes any meal.

1. Smelly candles.

😊

Bess, that's hilarious, but I really don't like melon of any kind! Perhaps mango would be an acceptable substitute?

People in real life have also suggested magnesium, what are the benefits for you Just?

More great ideas, huge thanks to everyone so far x

Magnesium really helps me with sleep. I take it every night and have yet to struggle with sleep like many other women my age thanks to perimenopause (I’m 47). Might just be luck but I do then I notice a difference if I forget to take it.

Just turned 47, too.
My life is similar to yours.
Watching with interest...

Hello! 49 here and feel in great health. I have made a few little adjustments in the last year though mainly exercise and alcohol. I do Pilates, walk loads (i tend to meet friends for a walk now rather than coffee!). I've virtually given up alcohol which has made a huge difference.

Prioritise sleep! So important now.

I've also rediscovered reading and also do in 15 mins of duolingo twice a day, so am trying to keep my brain going!

And second what a poster said above, accept that you are ageing and own it . And not care what people think about you.

Enjoy OP!

For me it is buy once and buy well. “Stuff” drives me nuts now.

Know that age 47 is the unhappiest you will ever be. According to the UN.

Take a heartfelt look at your dh. You will have married him for a reason. It is truly gone? Or is there room for more?

I “discovered” that I wanted to grow old with dh even though a few things were a major windup for a while. I am so glad I stayed .

Ashtanga yoga.

Lots and lots of time in nature.

Have faith in yourself and don’t look to others too much for advice. No one knows your situation like you do so don’t look to them to validate your decisions.

Tretinoin.

Don’t worry too much about the menopause….I had my last period at 45 and still look ten years younger than my age. Not sure whether it caused problems for me because I had young and quite challenging children at the time.

Intermittent fasting. Need to get back to this myself.

Re magnesium, take it in tablet form….for some reason the spray on stuff actually keeps me awake!

Doing periodic silent retreats at a Buddhist retreat centre, buying wonderful clothes, solo travel.

56. I was just about on suicide watch when I hit 50 and in the last couple of years, I have started to visibly age.

At first I was upset, but I've now got used to it and I no longer give a toss. I now wear all that old person's clothing that I could never understand why people would (turns out it's because it is warm and comfortable). So I am less concerned about people's opinions of me... Finally.

To keep well, I exercise (it's important to do some form of impact exercise like running so your bones stay strong), but not to excess. I did exercise to excess at first (I did Insanity) but then discovered my body now breaks a lot more easily than it did.

I quit drinking as hangovers hurt and life is too precious to be groaning in bed.

I started mediating and doing yoga.

I drink a couple of litres of water a day to keep my old skin hydrated.

I have a multivitamin and try and eat a varied diet with less crap in it.

That's about it. Main thing is I've come to terms with it all. I wobbled at first and now I'm okay with it.