Christine L Conroy is author of the book, 'Stitch Your own Silver Linings', a breakthrough guide to helping yourself to happiness - no matter what. She coaches and speaks about happiness and positive psychology which underpins everything she does.
Christine L Conroy
Did you know that happy people are more successful in all areas of life? That they are healthier AND they live longer? So, we need to get happy. Christine would love you to join her community of like-minded women and to help as many ladies as possible to flourish over fifty and beyond. So to kick start her journey, she shares with us her top tips for living life after 50.
Cultivate your relationships and develop new ones
The quality of you relationships is important to your wellbeing at any age. They are even more important the older we get. Women over 50 are often dealing with big life changes – it’s good to have a network of women around who are experiencing the same things.
Plan for the future but BE in the present
You are never too old to set new goals. Setting goals help you to continue to grow. ‘Grow or die’ is probably more pertinent now than ever! Financial planning for the future is an important thing to do to give you peace of mind. However, once you have these things in place - forget the future. Place all of your attention on the present moment so that you don’t miss a single thing. Living life to the full means in living it here, now.
Volunteer
Helping others is a great way to boost your own wellbeing. Find a way to volunteer that suits your personality and your circumstances. Feeling that you are contributing to the greater good in some way gives your life purpose – quite apart from the benefits to those receiving your help. It’s a win win.
Pleasure
Do something just for the fun of it – regularly. For women with children, this time sees their children becoming more and more independent. That might carry its own sorrows, BUT it also means you have more time to explore what you want to do next. Now, you have more you time – spend it wisely, have fun. Pleasure is not just nice to have, it is essential . Keep a list of things that give you pleasure and schedule them into your diary. This is even more important to do if you are caring for elderly parents or sick relatives. Moments of pleasure little and often are essential to your wellbeing.
Learn something new
Do things you haven’t done before or change the way you do what you do already. Learn not to be afraid of change, but to embrace it. Change will open your mind to different ways of thinking. You will begin discover the powerful and creative woman you have always been, but have been too busy caring for everyone else to ‘let her out!’ Now is the time. Incidentally, new learning also helps to keep your brain active and healthy. Learning a new language is said to be most effective in this regard.
Exercise
Keep your body strong, fit and heathy. It is going to see you into your next century! Oh yes, you could live for another fifty years and beyond! If you don’t already, start some form of exercise, it will make you feel good and look good. Staying on top of health checks is important - cholesterol, blood pressure etc. diet obviously plays a role, but exercise truly is the elixir of LIFE
Be Grateful
Be grateful for everything in your life, the good and the bad. Whatever your experiences – they have brought you to this place right now, ready, with all of your wisdom, to take on the biggest adventures yet to come.
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