6 Things to Do In Your 50s for a Kick-Ass Life in Your 70s

There are so many dang articles about how to live gloriously in your 30s. Even more, detailing how we humans should approach our 40s. Or how to take charge of life when you turn the big 5-0.

But I have a newsflash for y'all.

We're living longer and longer these days.

But I digress...

If you didn't know, and there's no reason you would know, I'm in my 50's.

I know, I know...hard to believe, right?

Heck, if one were to peep my profile pic, then maybe, like my wife, you'd say, "Ricky-boy, you don't look a day over 46". But look, besides being sarcastic and pithy, I frankly don't feel a day over 40. At least that's what my mind says.

But the even more significant point here is that we live longer and enjoy life well into our 70s and beyond.

And when I say enjoying life, I mean like really enjoying it. Seizing it by the balls and living it for all it's worth. Nowadays, more and more people in their 50s are thinking about how to live in their 70s.

Perhaps you're one of them.

Perhaps you're parents are.

Maybe it's your grandparents.

If that's the case, I'm right there with ya, and wrote this for you.

For us.

I don't want to write about the obvious things like quitting smoking and eating healthy because they should be self-explanatory. Plus, they're boring as fuck topics. Instead, I wanna write on non-obvious but essential decisions that can greatly impact your future life.

The most important thing to think about is how you want to live those decades.

Consider your physical and mental health, education, relationships, and finances, as well as other factors that will contribute to a better quality of life during these years ahead—and, God willing, many more after them.

So if you have any questions about what you should do in your 50s to prepare for a better life in your 70s, read on.

Get physical

This is one drum I've been beating my entire life.

You already know how necessary physical fitness is. If you'd seen what I've seen as an emergency room nurse, then you'd fully grasp that a large majority of ailments we treat are preventable! Literally P-R-E-V-E-N-T-A-B-L-E!

So yeah, exercising is one of the most important things you can do for your health at any age, but it's especially crucial in your 50s.

Not only does regular exercise help keep your body strong and healthy, but it also improves your mood, reduces stress and anxiety, and can even help you live longer.

Me?

I re-started my yoga practice this past month. It's a gratifying way for me to love my body and the better part is I can do it with my wife.

But let's keep this train moving along.

Train your brain

Just as it's essential to keep your body active, it's also important to keep your mind busy.

Challenging your brain with puzzles, games, and mentally stimulating activities can help prevent memory loss and other age-related mental health issues. I'm totally not kidding here. It really sucks to know folks who have let their noggin' get soft because they stopped doing simple things like reading.

Or better, they stopped writing.

Blasphemy!

So get cracking on that sudoku puzzle, start learning a new language, or sign up for a challenging course at the local community college. Crack that Mac open and bang out an article about how to stay young forever.

Your mind will thank you later.

Mind your dough

Not everyone has their financial house in order.

One of the most important things to do in your 50s (or any age for that matter) is to get your financial house in order.

Now I'm no financial advisor, and I'm certainly not a money guru. But I do know that if you wanna eat, you need to have the cheddar to buy food. Pun intended.

So if you need to, then make a budget. And stick to it. And the worst or best-case scenario?

You are ONLY in your 50's! Start a new career. Schlepp some coffee at Starbucks. Keep working, in other words.

But remember, mind your moolah. You're gonna need it.

Bone your wife, or husband, or significant other...a LOT

As much as I'd like to share some nice words about relationships, cuddling, and date nights... I'm not.

Have sex.

Lots of it.

Look, you burn calories, often break a sweat, and if you do it right, then it's a ton of fun for the both of you.

And who the hell doesn't like a good roll in the hay at two p.m. on a Wednesday?

Sex.

Do it.

A lot.

That's all I gotta say about that.

Don't retire

I can't stand that word.

When I hear that word, my mind conjures up images of retirement villages where all the folks eat at 4:30 pm and get to the village chow hall by golf cart.

Fuck that.

I'm taking my chick to a steak house, and if we have to wait for an hour, then we're gonna do it at the bar over a couple of martinis. Shaken, of course, not stirred. Then after dinner, we're prolly gonna mosey on back to the crib and get into some more trouble.

Bumping uglies, if you get my drift.

Oh yeah, in addition to that, is to truly not retire.

Give your time back. Volunteer. Help a young writer make it, or a young startup crush it, or some other cause that will keep you full of vim and vigor.

But for Pete's sake, do not retire or ever use that word.

Keep it half full

This has everything to do with your mindset.

Every day above ground is a good day, and if you're jonesing to thrive into your 70s and beyond, then start by believing you will. I know I dang well will. While we may find ourselves reflecting back and thinking about the good old days, please don't forget to look forward.

To the days yet to come.

Positivity is key to a happy, healthy life, so don't forget to practice it every day.

The final word

That's all I got, folks.

I didn't want to make this a dissertation on beating father time because you won't. I won't. None of us will.

But we sure as heck can stay one step ahead and live life for all it's worth well into our 70s and beyond.

And it starts, now.