The younger you are, the more careless you tend to be. And that’s how it’s supposed to be. But passing time inevitably makes you take care of yourself, your mental wellbeing, and your background more. From reflecting on people you spend time with to adding some little rituals to your lifestyle, like drinking more water or putting on face cream daily, there are many ways to self-improve.
So when one Redditor posed a question to older women on the “Ask Women” subreddit, “What are some underrated ways to take care of ourselves now to make things easier when we get older?” it delivered some incredible advice. So take your notes out, below are some of the most useful pieces of advice to start with today to make time and age stand on your side.
#1
Keep making friends and fostering friendships. My former boss (retired now, in her 60s) has a group of girlfriends. They vacation together, go golfing, shopping, dining etc. I commended her on this and she explained that her husband is a lot older than her and she was aware that he would likely pass away before her,and she didn’t want to be alone. Most of her friends are married but they have prioritized their friendship for decades.
Image credits: salsasandwich
#2
You know who thinks you look great? You, ten years from now. Embrace and enjoy the body you have right here, right now. Focus on all the things it can do, and all the parts that work well and don’t hurt. This body you’re maybe way too critical of now will likely be a body you’ll think of fondly in the future so you may as well treat it fondly now.
Image credits: TigerLily98226
#3
Wear earplugs in loud areas. Have earplugs handy for unexpected loud situations. If you find yourself in a loud situation with no earplugs then do your best to get away. There are even earplugs designed to allow some sound through so you can still hear important things.
I have better hearing than a lot of people around my age. It’s awesome. Conversations will be a lot less frustrating for you in the future if you plug your ears.
Image credits: Speerjagerin
#4
Preventative care. Go to the gyno, doctor, and dentist regularly. Get those Pap smears, mammograms, cleanings, etc. If you can get a skin cancer check every couple of years – do it.
Sunscreen! And stay out of the sun.
Take care of your skin. Can’t tell you how many posts I see from people who say they never took care of their skin and now at 50 are looking for a magic potion.
Same with your teeth.
Wear shoes that aren’t ruining your feet, knees, and back.
If you need medication and can afford it – take it. It’s easy to let things go, but your arteries, organs, brain, etc. will thank you.
Regular drinking is bad for your health and appearance. If you aren’t a regular drinker – don’t start. If you are, cut back.
Image credits: livingthemugglelife
#5
Nuture your old friendships. The older you get, the more precious it becomes to have friends who knew you in different stages of your life.
Image credits: queenie_sabrina
#6
Not just exercise, but build your physical balance. This will be a literal life saver as you age.
Image credits: PomeloPepper
#7
Drink less alcohol and coffee, drink more water.
Image credits: leopardsatemycomment
#8
Keep going out atleast once a week even if it’s to sit at the coffee shop by yourself.
It sounds simple right??? But for a ton of us it’s really scary. Some of us hate the thought of others looking at us and judging us. Starting in 2019 I quit going out and would be afraid of people simply focusing on my nose, my scars, my makeup etc instead of my eyes.
Well I’m now just starting to go out. It’s really hard but I’m getting the hang of it. I should have kept going out and having fun often, instead of hiding away because I got too used to it and then afraid to go out. I’m only 28 !!!!!!
Image credits: jeweledmoon
#9
Edit your life. A couple years ago, after being upset when two different friends posted yet another unsettling untrue thing on Facebook regarding vaccines, and social justice, I realized I just don’t want to be a fact checker for my friends. I also quit Facebook. I used to challenge myself to have friends who didn’t share all my political and social views but the last six years have made that challenge way too challenging, the divide cannot be bridged. Also edit old beliefs, like spiritual or religious beliefs that cause unwarranted guilt or fear or encourage narrow mindedness. Edit your possessions so you don’t have to spend so much time on stuff and so your loved ones don’t have so much stuff to deal with after you’re no longer able to manage, or are dead. Edit your money habits so that you have more stashed away and so things like on line shopping or giving money to adult kids doesn’t put a strain on your future by draining your current budget. Edit your wardrobe to keep only things you can comfortably wear and that you find appealing. While doing so let go of judging others appearances, you’ll be surprised by how much energy it frees up and how much more accepting you’ll be of your own appearance.
Image credits: TigerLily98226
#10
If you don’t have the energy to do a full workout, do the bare minimum to get your blood moving, whether it’s walking or doing a quick squat-push up-sit up cycle
Image credits: VeeSquibbles
#11
Look around your house. Especially if you are a home owner. I have a ten year plan to make my home handicap friendly before I retire. I want even floors, friendly to wheelchairs. Showers without a lip to trip over. My water heater is in the spider dungeon, I plan to move it upstairs. The siding needs repaired and the roof replaced before I am on a fixed income. Correct the drains so I don’t have to blow them out every 6 months, put in sprinklers so I don’t have to move hoses. And the big one, wish list more than to do list, get solar panels.
Image credits: Ember357
#12
Learn absolutely everything you can about perimenopause and menopause. We don’t talk about it enough or adequately share lived experience. It all starts far earlier than most women realize and hot flashes are the very least of it. We are woefully unprepared for this process.
Also have your own money and save diligently, even if you think you can’t afford to.
Image credits: Glindanorth
#13
Live intentionally. Lots of people shuffle through the daily stressful things almost on automatic. Reduce time wandering in tv shows and increase time asking questions and figuring out your needs – meditating, eating better, creating a budget instead of just guesstimating month to month. Deciding about your own personal ethics and values, establishing boundaries, and working on your mental health are all incredibly important. Challenge your beliefs and assumptions that you picked up from your parents.
Image credits: SociallyAwkardTurtle
#14
Flossing -isn’t underrated but I didn’t realize receding gums were a thing until my dentist told me they do testing on your gums after a certain age. And that can cause all kinds of problems. Take care of your teeth!
Image credits: crazynekosama
#15
Take care of your joints, and work on your mobility and balance. It doesn’t need to be a special workout, but doing yoga regularly, being barefoot as much as possible (to combat bunions and improve proprioception), and doing some gentle exercise like walking or swimming.
Falling and breaking a bone can be fatal when you get older.
Image credits: Zoenne
#16
Exercise. It’s easier to get in shape when you’re younger and then hold onto that rather than try to get better strength/endurance at a later time.
My dad used to say that to me all the time, and I was like… Whatever. But then I finally started working out regularly when I was 28 and in the years since it’s been easy to keep up a decent fitness level with much less effort.
One of my friends never exercised either because she thought of it as only something you do to become thinner and she was naturally very thin. Now we’re in our late 30s and she struggles to stand on public transit or walk for an hour without a break. I only go to the gym about an hour a week these days but on vacation I can walk for hours without stopping
Image credits: SeaworthySwarth
#17
Sun protection, not only to look more youthful but as skin cancer prevention. A wide-brimmed summer hat, sunglasses and a full-sleeve rashguard are my go-tos when I’m at the beach. I might look a little nerdy but it beats getting sunburnt and having a dozen new moles pop up on my back.
Image credits: brbgottagofast
#18
Lift weights. Putting on muscle is like savings in the bank…. Make deposits now because one day it will only be withdrawals.
Image credits: Ivyblueberryhill
#19
I started eating a Cbd gummy before bedtime, and I haven’t slept so well in years. So glad I found out about them!
Image credits: Particular_Case_1739
#20
– Sunblock;
– Dental hygiene, which includes daily floss and mouthwash;
– Drinking water regularly; and
– Getting enough sleep.
Image credits: 0l0l00l
#21
MOISTURIZE everyday head to toe no matter how yucky it feels. Your old hormoneless skin will reward you!
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