Your Midlife Health Matters
Gentle Wellness Habits in Midlife Set You Up for a Healthy Tomorrow
Not long ago, I received a beautiful message from a former client who had moved away. She wanted to let me know just how much the work we did together in her 50s had positively impacted her life—especially now, as she enjoys her senior years with more energy and ease than others around her.
“Meeting you more than 25 years ago has had a significant impact on my journey to being a
healthy 73-year-old. Your guidance and everything I learned from you helped me shift my
approach to food and adopt lasting, sustainable habits. I am proud to say I have no chronic
diseases or conditions, nor do I take any medications. Thank you for everything you’ve taught
me over the years!” –Janis
Reading that, I felt both humbled and proud—because her words are such a strong reminder of something I deeply believe: it’s never too late to start caring for yourself, and the things you do in midlife can make a world of difference in your later years.
Midlife Is the Sweet Spot
Our 40s, 50s, and 60s often come with new roles, responsibilities, and rhythms. It’s a time when many of us are balancing a lot—work, social calendars, family, helping with new Grandkids or caring for aging parents, etc. Amidst all that, it can be easy to push our own wellness to the back burner.
But here’s the thing: these are the years when your body is listening the most. Making small, doable shifts in how you eat, move, and manage stress now can help you stay active, independent, and vibrant in the decades to come.
Let’s walk through some of the things that have had such a lasting impact for my client—and how they might help you, too.
Nutrition That Lasts
One of the first steps we took together was adjusting her food intake to fit her body’s needs and adding the right supplements to compliment as well as correct any deficiencies.
As we age, our bodies start to absorb and process the nutrients from our food and drink differently. For a start, we might find that we need a little more calcium, vitamin D, B12, and fiber to support our bones, brain, and gut health than we did in our early adult years (National Institute on Aging).
This was not a crash diet or trendy reset that I assisted my client in implementing—it was a realistic and personalized change to her food habits. We focused on whole foods (not processed), balanced eating, and supplements that gave her what she needed to feel her best. The result? Long-lasting habits that have stuck with her for years.
Finding Calm Through Reiki
We also used Reiki as a tool for stress relief.
If you’ve never tried it, Reiki is a gentle, hands-on energy technique that can help your body and mind relax deeply. It supports the nervous system, helping you feel calm, centered, and better equipped to handle the day. It also can help relieve pain, by bringing healing energy to sore areas and releasing old traumas.
Chronic stress both physically and emotionally can wear down the body over time, until suddenly you feel completely sapped of energy and vitality. Stress has been linked in scientific studies to inflammation, memory issues, and even faster biological aging on a cellular level (NCBI). Going into a deep state of relaxation every now and then—can go a long way toward protecting your long-term health.
Restorative Yoga: Movement for Every Body
One of the other things this client participated in was attending my restorative yoga classes.
Unlike more intense forms of exercise, restorative yoga is all about ease and comfort. This form of yoga uses props, such as blankets and bolsters, to support the body in comfortable and relaxing poses. You don’t have to be flexible, wear fancy clothes, or strain to twist yourself into a pretzel. You just need to show up and breathe.
Studies show that yoga can help reduce blood pressure, support sleep, improve balance, and ease anxiety—especially in older adults (NCCIH). When you practice regularly, you’re not just building physical strength, you’re building a relationship with your body that says, “I care about you. I want you to feel good.”
It’s Not About Perfection—It’s About Possibility
You don’t need to overhaul your whole life to feel better. The best changes are small and easy to turn into new, long-lasting habits. Here are a few gentle ways to start:
- Eat with intention: Think colorful produce, wholesome proteins, and easy-to-digest meals that give you steady energy.
- Find your calm: Reiki, guided meditation, or even just regular quiet time with a cup of tea and a good book can help lower your stress levels.
- Move your body kindly: Restorative yoga, walking, or stretching are simple, low-impact ways to stay mobile, flexible, and build bone density.
- Stay curious about life: Every small change you make now is a gift to your future self. Don’t let yourself feel daunted by the possibilities that change can bring; feel positive and excited about the quality of life you’ll possess for longer.
Your Health Is a Long Game—And You’re Worth It
If you’re in your 50s, 60s, or beyond, it’s not “too late.” It’s never too late. It’s the perfect time to start planting seeds for a vibrant and active future.
My client didn’t wait for a crisis to take action—she chose to invest in her well-being, gently and consistently. And now she’s reaping the rewards, living with more joy and less pain in her retirement years.
Don’t turn ‘taking care of your health’ into one of those home projects that’s been sitting on your back burner for the last 10 years. Get started on those small changes today. I’m here to help you do just that—at your own pace, and in your own way.
Ready to Start Your Wellness Journey?
Whether you’ve been on and off the ‘wellness wagon’ for years, or you’re just starting to think about your health more seriously than before, you do not have to figure it out alone. No one should!
My wish for you is to partner with someone who will listen to your needs, ask about your goals and pain points, and help you find the answers so that your later years feel good, grounded, and full of possibility. For 25 years I have been helping clients like Janis build a personalized path to support the body, reduces stress, and live their best life—now and into the future.
Get in touch today to book a session with me, or simply to learn more about how my services—like nutrition and mindfulness coaching, restorative yoga, and Reiki—can help you feel better from the inside out. Click here to get started.
References:
- National Institute on Aging. (2021). Healthy Eating After 50. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-eating
- Epel, E. S., et al. (2017). Can Meditation Slow Rate of Cellular Aging? Current Directions in Psychological Science. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579396/
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2020). Yoga: What You Need To Know. Retrieved from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/yoga-what-you-need-to-know
