It's Really All About Self Care
Source: rocket50
By: Nicole Radmacher rocket50 contributing writer
Date: February 18, 2023
Why is Self Care a necessity?
When we’re in our 50s or older, most of us have lots of responsibilities; work, supporting our children, relationships, taking care of older parents, and so on. So many people and so many things depend on us.
Balancing all of this is only possible when we’re healthy and full of energy. That’s why looking after yourself first should be your number 1 priority. We’ve all heard it many times on the airplane before you take off - put on your own oxygen mask first and then help people around you.
Why is this so difficult? It seems counterintuitive and for many of us, it’s the opposite to how we have been brought up. If you are in your fifties and your parents are of the post-WWII generation, they were raised in a context where it was about survival not selfcare.
Selfcare has a connotation of selfishness and laziness. Whereas being busy and having a full agenda is seen as a sign of being successful. However, research has shown that getting adequate rest can significantly improve cognitive function, such as attention, memory, and decision-making. Additionally, it can also improve mood, reduce stress, and increase creativity. All these factors can contribute to increased productivity and performance in all areas of life, and most important of all, keep you healthy.
Our healthspan is a result of our lifestyle
Most of us begin to experience health issues when we are in our fifties, for example, high blood pressure, joint stiffness or back pain. We often begin to take these things for granted, as a sign of getting older.
However, It’s important to look at the difference between lifespan and healthspan. Lifespan is the total number of years we live, whereas healthspan is how many of those years we remain healthy and free from disease. Healthspan is a measure of your quality of life.
Our lifestyle choices influence our healthspan to around 80%, with nutrition being the biggest factor. Our environment doesn’t make it easy, there’s some effort required. It’s a lot easier and cheaper to eat junk food take-away than cooking a healthy meal from natural ingredients.
The Joy of Missing Out (JOMO)
Sometimes it can feel challenging to make healthy choices. People around you try to talk you into having that drink or dessert or skip the workout. They make you feel like you're missing out on all the fun stuff.
Why is this? Most likely your choices are causing a slight feeling of discomfort in them. Somewhere deep inside, there's a little voice questioning their own choices.
JOMO is something that can be trained like a muscle. It is about feeling great about your choices for your health, your energy, and your wellbeing - without feeling the need to come up with excuses for not doing what everyone else does.
How? Telling yourself (and others) simply "I'm choosing not to have this today" or “I choose to only eat things that are good for me.”. There's no need to add any further explanation or excuse, as you know why you make the choices you do. It also feels empowering, getting you into a completely different mindset compared to “I’m on a diet, I can’t have this today.”.
JOMO also goes hand in hand with enjoying everything you want occasionally and consciously while having a solid foundation of healthy habits.
The key factors for a healthy lifestyle
Making lifestyle changes can only work if you come up with something that feels good for you, enhancing your quality of life rather than restricting it. If it feels like something imposed or restricting you, it is only going to work in the short term. You might need a bit of willpower in the beginning but over time healthy habits will become part of who you are and your lifestyle.
The secret is to start with small steps, then realizing how great you feel and adding another step. This is about building momentum that keeps you motivated. Also, plan for something that you are 100% sure you can comply with. Rather than deciding to walk 10,000 steps every day, start with a promise to yourself to have a 10-minute walk, five times a week. If you end up walking 15 minutes six times a week, you will feel amazing and move forward.
Here's some inspiration for small things to start with:
- Have at least 6 glasses of water every day
- Have a 10-minute walk 3x times a week
- Add a side salad or vegetables to dinner everyday
- Go to bed earlier during weekdays
- Take a 20-minute nap after lunch every Sunday
- Prepare a healthy home cooked meal twice a week
Learn More About Selfcare Healthy Lifestyle from Others
Self Care Should not be difficult for people over 50 wanting to live a healthy lifestyle. Apart from employing some of the tactics mentioned above, try exchanging ideas with other people on how you will choose your self care routine and maintain healthy diet choices.
Join the Rocket50 community and start having healthy conversations today.
Nicole Rademacher is our rocket50 nutrition & wellbeing expert, specializing in how people 50+ can stay healthy and fit for the rest of their lives. She is a certified WILDFIT coach and lives in Mallorca, Spain
Meta Title: Why Self-Care isn’t Selfish
Meta Description: When we’re in our 50s or older, most of us have lots of responsibilities: leading teams at work, supporting our children who start a career, taking care of older parents, and so on. So many people and so many things depend on us.