"15 Things You Should Do Before You Turn 50"

 

Approaching midlife can be scary, especially if you look back over your life and wonder what could’ve happened instead of what you actually did. As so many celebrities have turned 50 recently, it made me wonder what did I do over my lifetime. With that thought, I decided to create a list of things that I think everyone should do before the age of 50.

15. Get Lost (For real!)

One thing that makes it scarier is feeling like you haven’t accomplished all the life stuff you set out to do in your teens or 20s. By now, you may have seen more of other parts of the world than you’ve actually seen of your own hometown because you’ve been a good little Pythagorean and mastered the straight line between A and B and never got beyond point C. But now is the time to get lost, at least metaphorically. Take that road you’ve never taken. Go to work by bus instead of train. Or get really radical and walk somewhere. Mix it up. And be sure not to plan too much.

14. Use your passport

Many of us have a passport “just in case,” but instead of waiting to win the lottery or for a lonely millionaire with a yacht to show up on your doorstep, take control of your vacations and book a trip out of the country. And yes, Canada and Mexico count, and will definitely stamp your passport. Or consider going to the place you always dreamed of as a child or the country of your ancestors.

13. Get a new hobby (again)!

Ok, so you probably have a collection of these shoes and comic books, or like to do certain activities over and over again and that’s great, but what about something new? It’s time to see if you like doing something else continuously. What else out there might bring you joy? Find out just by seeing what other people’s hobbies are and then trying them for yourself.

12. Wear that outfit, no matter what anybody says

We unconsciously do things by thinking about what other people think. Like when we buy or try on clothes, we usually have this thought in mind: “What will people think or say when I wear this?” Well, at age 50 it’s time to do it if you like it! So what if they talk?! Live your best life and that includes wearing something that brings joy to you and nobody else.

11. Write a will

No one wants to think about death but Newsflash: It’s gonna happen. Probably not today and hopefully not soon but death comes for everyone eventually. And when it does, do you want your kids’ most poignant memory of that time to be the gigantic fight over your collection of rare pickle jars? So sit down, write up a will allocating the important stuff, sign it (preferably in the presence of a notary), and then tell everyone you care about where it is.

10. Fight for something you believe in

It’s time. Time to stop sitting on the sidelines and wondering “What if?” It’s time to do more than just post a picture on social media or just say that you’re praying for some cause. It’s time to do something about it. Go, write that senator a letter, demand change from your city councilmen and women, and find out how you can make a change in your community. You ARE an agent of change, so let’s do something.

9. Get therapy

If your immediate question is “Why would I need therapy?” perhaps you should really ask: "Why wouldn't you need therapy?" Even if your life is going great at the moment, everyone has their ups and downs, and a professional can help you strengthen your inner reserves and develop better coping skills. Plus, when else are you not only allowed but expected to talk about nothing but yourself for an hour?

8. Bless a complete stranger

Let’s say you’ve done pretty well in life, climbed the corporate ladder, made it to the top, and love the view. Congratulations. Now what? Compassion for those who didn’t catch the same breaks is a pretty good place to start the cool-down from your career marathon. The next time you dine out, look for someone who is alone, perhaps sad or troubled or less fortunate than yourself, and pay their waiter for their meal, anonymously. It might make a difference in their life and it will certainly make a difference, for the better, in yours.

7. Pay off your credit cards

Over half of Americans report “substantial” worries about money, according to a recent Gallup poll. And one of the biggest causes of money woes is debt, particularly credit card debt. Thanks to their ease of use (swiping a card almost doesn’t feel like spending money at all!) and low-interest rates, it’s easy to quickly rack up more debt than you know how to do with.

6. Volunteer at a homeless shelter

Once you’ve been established with a home and a job for a long time, it can be easy to forget how close we all really are to the edge. Share what you’ve been given with those less fortunate for an instant priority check and to do a little good in the world.

5. Be an election judge

Want an insider look at how our election process works on the ground level? Sign up to work as an election judge. Don’t worry, it doesn’t involve any actual “judging,” but rather making sure the voting process runs in an orderly and proper manner. You get to see all the ins and outs while still providing a vital service to your community. To sign up, Google “election judge” and enter your state for instructions.

4. Forgive someone

Pick someone from your past who you feel deserves to be forgiven for a previous wrong. Or, better yet, pick someone who doesn’t deserve it and forgive them anyhow. Even if it means nothing to them, it will make you feel so much lighter.

3. Plant a garden

You learn about the plant life cycle as a child but you can’t fully appreciate the magic of it until you’re an adult and have nurtured a plant from seed to maturity. Gardening—or as we like to call it, playing in the dirt—is one of the oldest hobbies for a reason. It’s good for your mind, body, and soul, especially if you reap what you sow.

2. Apologize for something you did wrong

According to marketing communications professional Kerry O’Malley, the steps to a successful apology at work include acting quickly, showing up in person, explaining what happened and how you’re going to avoid the problem in the future, saying “I’m sorry,” and making restitution. Not only will apologizing help the person who was offended forgive you; but it may also help soothe your guilty conscience.

1. Fall in Love (again)

Even if it’s falling in love with yourself (forgiving yourself is something we all need to do), fall in love with someone, kiss them like you mean it and tell them every chance you get just how much you love them.  This time, don’t just tell them, show them that you love them too. If they don’t get it, it’s cool because you have a lot of love to give.

BlackDoctor.Org, July 11, 2023 , by: Gemma Greene, BDC Staff Writer

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the BlackDoctor.Org and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“Sneaky Depression Triggers as You Age”

Midlife Can Make You Miserable: Feel like middle age is closing in on you? You're not alone. A 2008 study of data from 2 million people found that midlife depression spans the globe. In the U.S., it peaks at around age 40 for women and 50 for men, and usually starts to lift in the 50s. Why? People may learn to adapt to their strengths and weaknesses and value life more, the researchers say.

Depression Trigger: Overload! Squeezed between the demands of children, aging parents, marriage, and your job? Feeling sad, worthless, and guilty? Women tend to shoulder more of the "sandwich generation" burdens -- and up to half become depressed as a result. Solution: Make sure you're caring for yourself, too. Exercise, get enough rest, eat healthy, see friends, and get help -- for caregiving demands and depression -- if you need it.

Trigger: Low Vitamin B12! If you're feeling lethargic, forgetful, or depressed, too little vitamin B12 may be to blame. If you're older, you're more at risk for the B12 blues because you may not have enough stomach acid to release B12 from food. Solution: If you're under 50, eat fish, meat, chicken, cheese, and eggs. If you're over 50, try B12-fortified foods or a supplement. Your body may absorb it better.

Trigger: Changes in Sex Drive! As men age, their bodies produce less of the important sex hormone testosterone. Low testosterone levels can cause depression, as well as erectile dysfunction (ED) -- trouble getting or keeping an erection -- and a decreased interest in sex. Such changes in your sex life can lead to depression. Solutions: Find new ways to be romantic or sexual, get sexual counseling, or for ED, get medical treatment.

Trigger: Thyroid Disorders! Depression can be one symptom of an underactive or occasionally overactive thyroid. And if you are older, it may be your only symptom. Or it may appear with a subtle symptom. In the case of overactive thyroid, it could be accompanied by heart flutters, tremors, or fatigue.  An underactive thyroid can cause constipation or fatigue. That's why this very treatable problem is often mistaken for bowel or nervous system disorders in older people. Solution: See your doctor, especially if a close relative has thyroid disease.

Trigger: Achy Joints! Living with a condition that causes chronic pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, increases your chance of having depression. In fact, people with chronic pain are three times as likely to have depression or an anxiety disorder.  And depression can make pain worse. Solution: Exercise, meditate, or listen to music. An hour of classical music a day has been shown to ease arthritis pain and depression. If the depression or pain doesn't lift, talk to your doctor.

Trigger: Perimenopause and Menopause! Hormone fluctuations, hot flashes, and life changes related to perimenopause and menopause can make your mood plummet. If you have trouble sleeping, a history of depression, or PMS, mood swings or depression may worsen during this transitional period. Solutions: For mild depression, try self-calming skills such as yoga or deep breathing. Do things that make you feel better, such as exercise or going out with friends, or find a creative outlet. For more serious, long-lasting symptoms of depression, prescription medication or talk therapy can help.

Trigger: The Empty Nest! If your child has left home, an "empty nest" can make you feel empty. Going through menopause or retirement at the same time may make it harder. Solutions: Try to see it as an opportunity. Reconnect with your spouse, other family members, and friends. Pursue hobbies and interests you didn't have time for before. Give yourself time to adjust. If your mood doesn't lift in a few months, talk to your doctor.

Trigger: Type 2 Diabetes! Do you feel too listless to check your blood sugar regularly? Are unpredictable blood sugar levels making you feel out of control? Depression is a common and dangerous complication of many chronic conditions, including diabetes. Depression also may keep you from taking good care of your diabetes. Solution: Talk to your doctor if you've been depressed for more than two weeks. Talk therapy, medication, and better diabetes control can help you manage both conditions. Depression is serious and if left untreated can be life threatening.

Trigger: Drinking! About 1 in 4 older people who drink heavily has major depression.  Some older people start drinking more because of stressful events, such as retirement or a spouse's death. Yet alcohol problems are often mistaken for other age-related problems. Solutions: A combination of medications can treat both alcohol dependence and depression. Individual or group therapy can also help deal with issues that may trigger your drinking.

Trigger: Poor Sleep! Insomnia and other sleep disruptions, which are common as we age, are closely related to depression. Insomnia can be a sign that you are depressed, and if you have insomnia but aren’t depressed, you’re at higher risk of developing mood changes. Obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome also have been linked to depression. Solutions: Talk to your doctor about possible reasons for your sleep problems and get treatment for them. Learn good sleep hygiene habits, such as regular bedtime hours. Exercise early regularly and avoid caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine, which interfere with sleep. Prescription medication may also help.

Trigger: Retirement! If you were forced into retirement -- because of poor health or other reasons -- you might very well be depressed. Factors such as financial insecurity or lack of social support can also make retirement a downer. Solutions: Busy retirees tend to be happier retirees. Learn new skills, take classes, get exercise. Be flexible: For example, if your health makes activities like travel difficult, take in museums and foreign films.

Trigger: Heart Problems! It's common to feel depressed after a diagnosis of heart disease or having a heart attack or cardiac surgery. But many people with heart disease go on to experience severe, long-term depression. And that can worsen heart health. Solutions: A healthy diet and sleep, mild exercise, relaxation techniques, and joining a support group can help you get through the blues. If depression lasts, antidepressants or talk therapy can help.

Trigger: Blood Pressure Pills! Could the beta-blocker that brings down your blood pressure also be bringing you down? The evidence is mixed, but two large studies showed a link to depression. One suggested that people who take the beta-blocker propranolol may be at least twice as likely to become depressed. Solutions: Your doctor or a psychiatrist can help you determine whether medication is causing your depression. If it is, you may be able to switch to another drug.

Trigger: Loneliness! Social support can help prevent or ease depression. But some kinds of social support may be better than others. A study of people in a retirement community found that those who stayed connected with friends living elsewhere had less depression. Support from within the community didn't affect mood. Solution: Maintain ties with close friends and family members. Explore Internet technology that can give you virtual face-time with distant friends.

Health Hurdles: Any chronic or serious condition -- such as Parkinson's disease or a stroke -- can lead to depression. A stroke can also affect the areas of the brain that control mood. Solution: Be realistic but positive. Learn how to cope with physical effects of your illness. Don't let them get in the way of taking care of yourself and having fun. If you have symptoms of depression, don't wait -- get help right away.

Trigger: Senior Moments! Feeling foggy and forgetful? It could be depression or dementia, a condition marked by memory loss. The signs and symptoms can be similar.  Or it could be both -- depression is more common in older people who have dementia, especially Alzheimer's. Solutions: If you don't know what's causing your symptoms, see your doctor so you can get the right treatment, if necessary.

Trigger: Grief! It's normal to grieve after losing a spouse or other loved one. But grief can grow into depression. Memory problems, confusion, and social withdrawal can be symptoms of depression in older people. Both grief and depression raise the risk for heart-related deaths. Solutions: Let yourself grieve. Express your feelings to friends, in a support group, or to a grief counselor. For depression, medication and talk therapy can help.

Any-Age Mood Booster: Pets! To keep your mood up, it helps to have good emotional and social support. But who says social support needs to be human? Studies show that pets can help people have less depression and loneliness and more self-esteem and happiness. Pets are friends with other benefits, too. Walking a dog, for example, is good exercise and a great way to meet people.

Any-Age Mood Booster: Laughter! A good laugh can relax muscles, reduce stress, and relieve pain. And research suggests that a good sense of humor can take the bite out of depression. For humor on demand, create a laugh library of funny books, cartoons, and DVDs. Or try laughter yoga, which uses playful activities and breathing exercises to provoke giggles.

Any-Age Mood Booster: Volunteer! Helping others can help you forget your own problems. Volunteering feels good at any age, but it may hold special benefits for older people. If retirement has you adrift, for example, it can give your life a new sense of purpose and satisfaction. Recent research suggests that it may even prevent frailty in older people. Find a cause that has special importance to you and get involved.

Reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, MD on March 09, 2012

SOURCES:

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Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2Live

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.