Helpful Ways To Reduce Stress for Women Over 50

Women who're entering their 50s have often achieved many milestones, from career promotions to seeing their children graduate high school. Most of these experiences are positive in nature, but they aren't without their stressful times. In fact, stress is a part of everyone's lives, including the middle-age years. Explore the most helpful ways to reduce stress for women over 50 years of age. This time of your life can be extremely rewarding and fulfilling.

1. Exercise Outdoors

This stress reliever works for every age, but it's particularly helpful for women over 50. Fight off menopause's effects, such as weight gain and bone-density loss, with exercise. Take your exercise to the outdoors whenever possible. Breathing in the air around trees and other plants will fill your body with extra oxygen. Scientific studies have shown that exercising in the outdoors improves both the body and mood.

Walk, jog or bike outside several times a week. Any stress experienced afterward won't feel so overwhelming.

2. Put More Green Into the Diet

Women over 50 are dealing with hormonal changes that can drastically affect their weight. You don't have to go on an extreme diet to maintain your figure, but consider the addition of more fruits and vegetables. A plant-based diet gives you the vitamins and minerals necessary to fight off many menopausal symptoms, including mood swings and bloating.

Buy flash-frozen vegetables for a quick side addition to your dinner, for example. The vegetables make you feel full, which curbs any cravings for unhealthy foods.

3. Join Support Groups

You may be encountering some serious challenges in life, including empty-nest syndrome or loss of a parent. Don't hesitate to talk about your feelings at an appropriate support group. There are organizations for almost any age and life event. Searching for a group near you with the Internet's help is possible. 

Many of these support groups work through social-media accounts. If one group doesn't suit your needs, try another one. Fifty-year-old women have the wisdom to know when they're not receiving the care that they need. Be confident about your choices when it comes to emotional health.

4. Seek Out Phytoestrogen Foods

It's a fact that women over 50 will have declining estrogen levels. This hormone is important to many balances within a woman's body even after the childbearing years. Consider natural solutions to low-estrogen levels. A few soy-based foods can make key differences in your well-being.

For example, seek out foods that have phytoestrogen substances, such as soy or tofu. Eating these foods on a regular basis can elevate natural estrogen in the body. You might experience fewer menopausal symptoms or calm some of the more severe types, such as hot flashes.

5. Schedule Downtime for Yourself

Women schedule doctor's appointments, time with friends and hours of work around the home. Don't forget to schedule time for yourself. This concept may seem foreign in this fast-paced world, but it's extremely important to take time out for reflection.

Take a bubble bath, go to the movies by yourself or venture out to a favorite park. Allow yourself to focus on nature and how you feel inside. Bring a book to write down any feelings that come up. Mental health is just as important as your physical well-being.

6. Connect With Grown Children

Your children may be off to college or careers of their own, but that fact doesn't mean that connecting with them isn't possible. Use text messages, phone calls and video chats to keep in contact with your family members. These social connections are incredibly important to women at age 50 and beyond. Grown children may not realize that they still need these connections too.

7. Get Enough Rest

Remember that you need between seven and nine hours of rest each night. Try to create a bedtime routine so that you can adhere to these recommended times. During deep sleep, your body reverts to its healing processes. You want to take advantage of this time as much as possible. Waking up and feeling rested tells you that last night's sleep was ample enough for a full day ahead.

8. Try Natural Beauty Products

Stress might seem to float away if you feel good about yourself. Consider natural beauty products to bring out a glow in your skin and hair. Conditioning the hair with argan oil or rubbing cocoa butter onto the skin are two ideas that offer nutrients for these tissues while making you feel gorgeous. Pampering yourself at least once a week is a smart goal to set. Life is full of responsibilities, but you can take at least an hour out of each week to focus on yourself.

9. Treat Yourself

Let the stress go by treating yourself after a particularly difficult day. This treat can come in many forms. A small piece of chocolate, heading out to the movies or calling your best friend are just a few examples of treats that will brighten any woman's day. Giving yourself these rewards after dealing with errands or work will create motivation to keep the momentum going. Everyone needs a break from the norm at times.

10. Accept What You Can't Control 

There are many situations in your 50s that you cannot control. Ailing parents are an example of a stressful situation. They might be dealing with chronic illnesses or limited mobility. You may be deciding between home care or a nursing home. It's easier to deal with each small decision when you understand that there are only a few things that can be controlled in life. Certain decisions as a family may not be correct in your mind, but let these issues go. You'll feel better when you accept and move forward with positivity in mind after any decision.

Life will continue to throw its curve balls at every woman, but learning to take on the challenges comes with age. Enjoy the golden years, your successful children and future plans with retirement. Stress only gives way to laughter and acceptance as you tackle every task.