Dealing with health concerns later in life comes with some unique considerations. This is especially true for women in their fifties or later, who are often juggling competing priorities while trying to manage their own health.
They may have teenage or adult children at home, pitch in with taking care of grandchildren, or be responsible for caring for their own aging parents. At the same time, they are coping with their own health challenges.
It can be much harder to handle health concerns when you are approaching your senior years. Your body may not recover from injuries, illnesses, or surgeries as quickly as when you were young. You might also feel unsure about how your body will react to certain medications after going through menopause.
Here are a few tips to help you manage health concerns in your fifties and beyond.
Healthy Coping Mechanisms
First, it’s important to have a few healthy coping mechanisms you can turn to when you’re stressed or feeling under the weather. You might want to escape for a while by getting lost in a good book, spending time outdoors, doing gentle yoga, or engaging in any other hobby that supports your mental and physical wellbeing.
At this stage in life, relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms like drinking can be extremely detrimental. Finding ways to self-soothe that do not harm your mind or body is key.
Maintain a Comfortable Environment
When you’re dealing with health concerns, being comfortable at home is extremely important. Depending on your specific needs, this might be the time to start researching and budgeting for potential home accommodations to implement in the future.
Keeping your home clean can also reduce your stress levels. If you live with other people, including teenage children, now is the time to ensure that everyone is on board with doing certain chores. Alternatively, if you have the wiggle room in your budget, you might want to invest in house cleaning services.
Honor Your Values
At this point in your life, you have a better handle on your priorities. You know what is most important to you, and what doesn’t matter much to your happiness at all. But what if you haven’t been honoring those values?
Dealing with health concerns can feel even more nerve-wracking. You may worry that you’ve missed out on chances to do what you love. Navigating health concerns can actually help you get back in touch with your priorities. You can make space in your life for what truly fulfills you so that you don’t have regrets about the way you spend your time.
Spend Time With Your Loved Ones
If you’re dealing with a health concern, spending time with your loved ones can be a balm. Plus, there’s a high chance that your female friends and relatives around your age are grappling with many of the same issues.
Spending time with other women can help you find a sense of peace and community. The knowledge that you’re not alone can give you a feeling of contentment.
Get Comfortable Advocating for Your Needs
Many women feel that their needs are overlooked in the healthcare system. They have experienced medical professionals dismissing issues that later turned out to be serious problems, or they have had their pain minimized.
It’s crucial to get comfortable advocating for your own needs, asking questions at appointments, and learning more about your own conditions. You may want to bring a loved one with you for support.
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Are you struggling with some important health decisions as you approach your golden years? A therapist can help guide you. Get in touch to review your options for scheduling a session of women’s or anxiety therapy.