5 Things I Wish I Knew About Wellness in My 50s

In my 30s and 40s, I thought wellness meant squeezing in workouts, counting every calorie, eating low-fat everything, and constantly chasing the next challenge. But in my 50s, I learned something different: gentle movement, rest, and actually listening to your body matter more than pushing through.

These days, a short (or long) walk in the trees with my 13-year-old dog Bailey, some light stretching, a little strength work, or simply playing with my granddaughter does more for my energy than an intense hour of cardio ever did.

As women, we often look at other women those stunning ones with the so-called "perfect" bodies and think I want that, or I’ll never have that.

Then we either push ourselves to the brink trying to keep up… or we give up completely and let ourselves go.

Which one has been you? 

No one warned me just how powerful hormone shifts would be after 50. Between the sweaty sleep struggles, water retention, the stubborn belly bloat, and ohhh the mood swings I honestly thought I was doing something wrong.

The slower metabolism, hormonal weight gain (that seems to take over your entire body even your feet!), and the joint pain? It can be downright debilitating. At one point, I was popping NSAIDs like candy until I developed an allergy and broke out in hives. That was my wake-up call.

But here’s what I’ve come to realize:
These aren’t failures. They’re signals.

Your body isn’t falling apart it’s recalibrating. It’s asking for support in new ways.

Learning about hormone-friendly nutrition, listening to what my body craved versus what it actually needed, and finally taking stress seriously it changed everything. 

And it can for you too!!

Wellness doesn’t have to mean six-pack abs or drinking green smoothies on repeat. Sometimes, it simply means waking up with less pain.

Feeling confident in your own skin.

Sleeping through the night without tossing, turning, or waking up exhausted.

For years, I felt like I had to chase every ounce of peace.

Now? Rest is non-negotiable.

Sleep. Stillness.
Quiet mornings in the sunshine with a warm cup of healthy coffee these are my power moves for true restoration.

Funny enough, I never even liked the taste of coffee until I was 60! It always smelled amazing but tasted awful… then in 2020, after losing my taste and smell, something changed. When it came back, suddenly coffee tasted wonderful. (Go figure!)

Because here’s what I’ve learned:
Glow comes from within, and it starts with nourishing your body and mind in ways that feel right for you.

Being at rest isn’t just about doing nothing it’s about feeling safe, grounded, and calm in your body.

Over 50, I’ve learned that rest is something we have to practice, not just wait for.

Rest isn’t lazy. It’s medicine.
And it’s the foundation for everything else your energy, your metabolism, your mood, even your confidence.

What helps you feel truly at rest?

Chronic stress = stubborn weight. Period.

You can count carbs, cut calories, and clock miles on the treadmill…

But if your body is under constant stress? It’s not going to let go.

Stress isn’t just about being busy or overwhelmed.

It’s what happens when your body constantly feels unsafe, out of balance, or quietly stuck in survival mode. And when stress hormones like cortisol stay high?
They can hijack your metabolism, wreck your sleep, and make weight loss feel downright impossible.

Before anything else could change, I had to calm my nervous system.

Natural tools like magnesium, creatine, and collagen helped more than I expected. Not just with how I felt, but with what I craved. Less stress meant less sugar.

And I say that as a proud, self-proclaimed sugar addict.

Because here’s the truth: when my stress goes unchecked, cortisol runs the show and suddenly I’m elbow-deep in cupcakes. I love cupcakes. And ice cream.
(But not mint chip. That’s a hard no, thanks.)

For most of my life, I thought wellness was all about what I ate and how much I moved. I rarely stopped to think about what I was putting on my body every single day.

But your skin is your largest organ, and it absorbs far more than we realize.

From lotions and deodorants to makeup, self-tanners, body oils, and hair products, I started reading every label with fresh eyes. And what I found honestly shocked me.

So, I began making simple swaps:

• Clean beauty products that don’t disrupt hormones or overload my system

• My all-time favorite: good old castor oil
  (Seriously did our moms and grandmas know this and just not tell us?)
  I use it for everything and believe it or not, it even keeps mosquitoes away. I slather it on before heading to the park, and lo and behold… no more getting chewed alive.

• And then there's pure beef tallow who knew?!
  If you do get bit, it instantly takes the itch away. Plus, it makes an incredible skin soother.

• I also love my essential oil roll-ons, especially frankincense.
  That one’s been a game-changer for my skin, mood, and sleep.

There are so many more natural tools out there and I’ll be researching and trying them right alongside you. (Don’t worry… we’ll tackle the topic of wrinkles and “crappy skin” another day!)

But I’ll say this: making those swaps made a bigger difference than I ever expected.
My skin felt smoother. My sleep improved.
And most importantly I felt more in tune with my body.

Because wellness isn’t just about what you put in your body it’s also about what you put on it.

And after 50, your skin deserves just as much attention and love as your mindset, mood, and metabolism.