We all know it can be hard to change our habits, and now that we are over 50, many of us still have a few bad or unhealthy habits that we now have to deal with. Sometimes we have bad habits around things or activities that we absolutely love and don’t want to change, but let’s face it…we’re not kids anymore. I know, there are just so many things we seem to have to monitor or control every day that its just natural to want a reprieve, a break sometimes. Does everything have to be on the clock all the time? Of course not. The good news is there is only one habit you need after 50, and it is this: intentionality.

Now there are a myriad of scholarly definitions for intentionality from places like Harvard and Cambridge, but here we’re just talking about taking a step back, being aware and taking actions with the intent to improve our lives.

Someone famous once said “all things in moderation.” (Yeah, nice work if you can get it) When we start to get a little older, it’s only natural to re-examine some of our routines and actions. If we’ve been overeating, binge drinking, or smoking, we already know these kinds of unhealthy habits can lead to extra pounds and health risks, like heart disease and diabetes. We also already know it is probably time to listen to our body and stop eating junk and highly processed foods. But instead of trying to psychologically examine and break deeply ingrained habits, we only need to start to be intentional about some easy (almost) painless tips and suggestions for healthy habits we need after 50.

1) Exercise, and be intentional about it–when you are exercising, think about what you are trying to accomplish–increasing your health. One of the most common lifestyle changes people make when they pass 50 is to start exercising more regularly. It is never too late to start exercising. Regular exercise helps us to manage our weight, reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions, and it helps improve our mental health and reduce stress.

2) Eat Healthier. We know it’s important to eat better as we age, but it’s certainly not that easy. It is helpful if we start by being mindful and aware of what we eat, and that only takes a few moments to give some thought to choices that are in front of us. Here are some easy peasy helpful tips.

—-Eat out less often. Set a table for dinner and invite friends and family over to allow for more control over how much and what we eat.

—-Don’t skip breakfast, it helps regulate blood sugar levels during the day and it helps with cognitive function in the morning.

—-Don’t use so much salt

—-Oh yeah, and eat more vegetables.

3) I’m Fine With Water. Drink more water. Many times we don’t even think about this choice and it becomes automatic to have a soft drink or a beer with a meal. Pay attention because drinking more water helps with weight loss, improves skin health, and helps with digestion. I love diet Coke but we have to limit our consumption of sugary (including artificially sweetened) drinks and fruit juices.

4) More Sleep, Please. Get more sleep. Sleep is essential for our physical and mental health. Sleep deprivation can cause a variety of health problems, such as weight gain, heart disease, anxiety, and depression. It is important to get enough sleep in order to stay healthy. A good sleep routine is very helpful. Try going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning. Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.

5) Hey You Kids, Get Off My Lawn! The grumpy old alone guy is not a good look and the importance of relationships and social interaction is not something we should overlook, particularly when we are over 50. The fact is, the quality of our relationships and interactions have a huge impact on our well-being, and on our health. We don’t have to go overboard, but we need to be more aware of making time for socializing and paying attention to relationships with others. There are some very small things that can help:

—-Schedule time for socializing with friends or family

—-Keep in touch with people by sending a text message, email, or call every now and then

—-Plan a coffee date with someone you haven’t seen in a while

6) Tighten The Spending Belt. Okay, we’re not actual fossils yet, but we are approaching retirement age and that means we need to be more careful about our spending habits. It is not too late to change some of the behaviors that we have developed over the years. Here are some easy tips that can help us take control of our spending:

—-Set a budget, yeah I hate this too but what is not measured is not accomplished.

—-Track spending. Knowing where your money goes is just part of being intentional about your money.

—-Stop spending on unnecessary items. This really means cutting down on the impulse purchases.

—-At least once a year, review your finances with a trusted professional advisor.

7) It’s Time To Stop Waiting. If not now, when? We’re over 50 now and its time to be intentional about how we spend our time. It’s time to pursue our passions, and to make it a habit. It’s never too late to follow our heart, our passion, and how we want to live. If you don’t know what your passion is or what you love, then read books or watch documentaries about people and things that inspire you.

George Clooney’s character in Up In The Air, posed a question to a recently fired 50 something, “Do you know the difference between an ironing board and a surf board? The ironing board is the surf board that gave up on it’s dream.”

Taking care of ourselves is a lifelong task. And while that might mean cutting out certain habits as we age, it also means adapting and finding new ways to stay healthy and happy.  Old school habits catch up with most all of us at some point or another, but it’s never too late to turn things around. And the best news is it doesn’t take drastic changes, it only takes cultivating one habit–intentionality–in most things that we do. The change happens naturally, as a result.

As always, we welcome your comments and questions on this article. Please feel free to leave your feedback below.