Let’s talk about morning routines for women over the age of 50…

Perfect Morning Routines for Women Over 50

You developed your routines over time. They become ingrained, familiar, and comfortable parts of each day.

Perhaps your routine is perfect for you. You wake up ready to embrace each day. You feel blessed – totally satisfied with your life. 

If this describes you, don’t change a thing. Celebrate your life.

If this is not you, it may be time to look at modifying your daily routines. Let’s look at the first and most important start to your day – your morning routine.

Is Your Morning Routine Satisfying or Stagnant?

‘Routine’ is a funny word. It is defined as a regular and organized set of activities. 

Routines are efficient and streamline your day. They also can turn stale and unfiling – especially after 50.

Do you see your daily routine as a boring duty to perform? Do you wonder at lunchtime if you accomplished anything important at all – even when busy? 

Your morning routine may have helped you develop into the woman you became.  But it may no longer meet your needs. 

“And it isn’t the thing you do, dear. It’s the thing you leave undone. Which gives you a bit of a heartache. At the setting of the sun.” – Margaret Elizabeth Sangster, American poet, and author

Life Changes After 50 

You face many changes after 50. Health concerns, living situations, and relationships shift.

Do you have an empty nest now?  Perhaps you are divorced or widowed.

Are you going back to school? Did you change jobs, start a business, or retire? 

You probably are downsizing. Maybe you are moving to a new home, remarrying, or taking care of elderly parents.

If you feel unsettled or something is missing in your life, read on. Discover 5 ways to begin redesigning your morning to meet your needs today, 

Your Perfect Morning Routine

People take comfort in familiar, everyday activities, When done mindfully, routines enhance your life.

Your morning routine sets each day in motion. It allows you to provide loving self-care, improved self-esteem, and clarity for new directions in life. 

Your routine doesn’t need to be the same as anyone else’s. In fact, it doesn’t even need to be the same every day.

Your perfect morning routine will be the daily routine which makes the best day, every day, for you. It will be a work in progress – refined and redesigned as needed.

5 Ways to Create a Perfect Morning Routine

Here are 5 activities you can try adding or adapting to your morning routine. They are easy to do, free or low cost, and flexible to explore what works for you.

1. Prepare the Night Before

Your morning routine kicks off each precious day. And for a good morning routine to take place, it is often preceded by preparation the night before.

The end of the day is a time to finally stop working on your To-Do list. In fact, consider doing a Done list instead. You will feel more satisfaction and less guilt or discouragement.

What did you accomplish during your day? Write it down in a journal. 

Try to cover at least one aspect of your health, finances, relationships, and life passions. Review your Done List every night for several months to see how little things add up to big changes. 

 Feel a sense of satisfaction for your accomplishments at the end of the day. Celebrate your ‘wins’.

Some people like checking off the items on a To-Do list at night also. Some prefer it first thing in the morning. 

If it resonates with you, use both lists. Either way, you will create your mindset and priorities for the next day. 

You are prepared for your next morning. Get a good night’s sleep and wake up refreshed with a focused head start.

2. Quiet Reflection

Morning is the perfect time for meditation, prayer, or reflection. It helps you to focus on yourself and your day ahead.

Find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. You may choose to use chimes or music to enhance the experience. If weather permits, a natural environment can add beauty and serenity. 

Some people like to journal. Try writing morning pages to clear your mind and reduce any anxiety.

Acknowledge your emotions and thoughts. This helps to focus your positive energy for the rest of the day.

3. Hydration

Your body and brain are cleansed during good sleep. The byproducts of the cleanse are eliminated through sweating, urination, and bowel movements.

Start the day by hydrating. It will replenish lost fluids.

Orange juice and apple juice are popular and healthy morning beverages. Consider an alternative for even greater benefits.

Drink an 8-ounce glass of warm water with lemon in it. It will help flush your body of remaining toxins and replenish nourishing fluids.

Lemons are a good source of vitamin C to boost your immune system. They reduce inflammation and may reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Research shows lemons can reduce uric acid, reducing arthritis and its pain. Lemons also have polyphenols which can aid in weight loss.

You can add an even extra benefit to your morning lemon juice. Add 8 ounces of warm water, ¼ tsp Himalayan salt, and the juice of 1 lemon. 

Salt is often processed leaving only one mineral – sodium. Himalayan salt is mined by hand. 84 minerals and trace elements including potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and copper are available for better health.

Together, warm water, Himalayan salt, and lemon balance your pH levels in the body. This allows your body to function at its best throughout the day.

4. Exercise

Exercise is helpful in the morning. It allows your metabolism to warm up, resulting in alertness and fat burning.

Exercise can be done in many forms. You can use a mix of exercises for better overall health – and less boredom. 

Tai Chi or Qi Gong allow meditative forms of breathing exercises. They provide vital oxygen and relaxation, improve balance, and increase strength.

Weight-bearing exercises with light weights or straps increase your bone density. They help you avoid osteoporosis.

Try aerobic activities like treadmills, walking, or hiking. They allow you to strengthen your heart and lungs – while burning fat.

Yoga provides a flexible, toned, and lean body. It improves posture and balance.

Exercise also relieves depression and anxiety. Best of all, exercises can be modified or done in a chair to meet your physical needs. 

5. Celebrate Each Day   

Review and refine your routine over time. Sometimes you have to reset your activities to meet changes in your life. 

Trust yourself to know when it is time to shift. Expect an adjustment period.

You may have to temporarily alter a routine due to illness, family emergencies, and vacations. Break the routine into smaller segments to accomplish it. 

Do as much as possible. You will retain your benefits until you can return to your regular schedule.

Good routines streamline your day to accomplish your priorities while supporting your needs. Your perfect routine will improve your health, your well-being and your impact on the world around you,  

Celebrate your best day, every day.

Do you have a perfect morning routine? Share it with us in the comments below. 

Pat Casello-Maddox is an entrepreneur, educator, health provider, and writer. living in Minneapolis. She owns Health Right Copy. As a certified copywriter and content specialist, she works with health and wellness organizations to connect great products and services to those who need them. She also specializes in supporting women with their health, wellbeing and personal development goals through articles, newsletters, case studies, and training.