Surrey Comet Families: Advice for Parents in Kingston, Elmbridge, Surrey & London

The age of 50 is an exciting time, whatever your situation. You have the benefit of life experience, and the confidence that comes with maturity and knowledge.

You may be at the top of the career ladder or settled in a job you enjoy. Life may be quieter after your kids have left home.

You could be thinking about retirement and slowing down, or finding time to try new activities.

To be fabulous at 50, follow these tips on staying healthy and fit, coping with change and enjoying positive relationships.

A balanced, healthy diet will keep you fit and feeling good.

Everyone should eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. If your kids have left home, you may be less inclined to cook meals. It can be easier to pop a ready meal into the microwave. But maintain the habit of preparing meals. Reduce convenience foods, ready meals and takeaways. Processed foods like those often contain lots of fat, sugar and unhealthy additives. 

Reduce the amount of caffeine and sugary drinks you consume. These will dehydrate you and affect your ability to concentrate. The short-term energy high you get from these drinks will lead to you feeling tired, if you drink too much.

Cut down on alcohol as it can lead to strokes and high blood pressure. Women should drink no more than two to three units a day, men three to four units (one unit is approximately half a pint of beer or lager or a small glass of wine).

Remember to drink plenty of water each day. This will flush out toxins and leave your skin looking clear and healthy.

A good diet will keep your skin, teeth and hair in good condition. It will help you maintain a healthy body weight and also keep your immune system healthy. Eating well will reduce the risks of obesity and developing coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke and cancer.

Find out more about a healthy diet in the Good Food section of the website. See Useful links.

Smoking is the biggest cause of death and illness in the UK: 120,000 people die from smoking related illness each year including heart disease and lung cancer. Smoking also causes bad breath, yellowing teeth, shortness of breath and the smell sticks to your hair and your clothes. 

The NHS Smoking Helpline provides support, advice and help with giving up. Their website has advice. See Useful links.

Regular exercise will help you maintain a healthy body weight and reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease and stress, helping you feel energised. Exercise also strengthens your muscles and joints and helps with mobility and balance.

Exercise moderately for 30 minutes a day. Find an activity you enjoy such as swimming, walking or dancing. You can include exercise in your daily routine without having to go to the gym or run a marathon, by making changes to your lifestyle.

Walk to work instead of driving, take the stairs instead of the lift, or play with your child or grandchild. Housework can be a way to exercise and shopping is also good as you are walking and carrying bags.

Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 for women (the average age is 52). The menopause occurs when levels of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone fall and your body stops producing eggs. This means you will no longer be able to get pregnant and your periods will stop.

Physical symptoms can include:

• hot flushes
• irregular, or unusually light or heavy periods
• aches and pains
• insomnia
• tiredness
• dry or itchy skin
• bladder problems
• loss of vaginal elasticity
• bladder problems

Everybody is unique and may experience different symptoms during the menopause. You may experience a few or none of the symptoms listed above. The menopause can also cause emotional symptoms such as:

• mood swings
• irritability
• panic attacks
• poor memory
• decrease in sexual desire

There are various ways of coping with the changes caused by menopause. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) could help reduce the symptoms but there are other ways too.

Find out more about menopause and watch videos about it by clicking on the link under Useful links.