The Midlife ToolBox – Top Tools for a Healthy Lifestyle
Welcome to The Midlife ToolBox, a very special series of guest posts written by Midlife Bloggers from all over the world. We are unique women, and even though we are all getting older, our perspective, challenges, and ways we see life are definitely unique! I hope you enjoy these wise words and gain some insight from them. I know I will.
You’re going to enjoy these five keys to healthy aging from my Australian blogger friend, Sue Loncaric. You may know her from her website and Facebook groups as the Sizzling Toward 60 & Beyond blogger!
Sue was one of the first to welcome me as a new midlife blogger, and we’ve remained long-distance “blogger friends” ever since.
Sue has so much knowledge to contribute to the topic of healthy living and aging, and always expresses herself with kindness and respect.
Let’s see what tips for healthy living Sue has for us:
When Candi asked me to contribute as a guest to her for her new series, The Midlife Tool Box – Top tools for Healthy Living, I loved the idea which fitted well into my Ageing Well in August theme. The idea of a Midlife Toolbox that contained all the necessary tools for Healthy Living in Midlife and Beyond certainly appeals to me.
Whilst I believe I’m using all the tools, writing this post gave me the opportunity to audit my toolbox and restock – something we all need to do regularly in life – audit and restock.
So, what does my Toolbox for healthy living and ageing well contain?
Like any tool box there are the basic tools that work for me in living a healthy lifestyle and I believe help me to age well. Here are the five keys to healthy aging:
My Attitude
To me, my attitude to life and living is the most important tool in my toolbox. If my attitude is not right, then nothing else will be. Living an authentic life, being comfortable with who I am and having the ability to say ‘No’ when I need to without guilt is vital for healthy living and ageing well.
Nourishment for body, mind, and soul
Just as our cars require the right fuel to function, so does our body. Making healthier food choices and accepting that this is a lifestyle, not a ‘diet’ will keep our bodies functioning well. About 18 months ago, my husband took the decision to stop drinking alcohol. It was a tough decision but he realised that he had a problem and needed to do something about it. I joined him and 18 months later we are still on the sobriety track and our bodies are feeling so much better for it.
Likewise, our minds and soul need nourishment and that means making time for reflection, mindfulness, and gratitude. Taking time to appreciate what we have daily reinforces a positive attitude.
Continual learning nourishes our mental health and keeps our minds sharp.
Movement and Functional Fitness
I don’t know where I would be without my physical activity in my toolbox. There are so many benefits for working out and staying active. Functional Fitness is important for me as I age, because I want to stay independent and be able to carry out normal daily activities without relying on others.
I love to run, workout with strength training and walk by the ocean where I live. Not only does it help me physically but studies have proven that regular exercise improves our mental health and overall wellbeing.
Find an activity you enjoy and make it part of your basic toolkit daily.
Staying connected
Socialising with family and friends of all ages, keeps us connected and provides a sense of belonging. Enjoying the company of all ages helps us to be open to new ideas and experiences as well as being a mentor. Again, studies have shown that to age well and stay healthy we need connection with others.
My Speciality Tools
I also have specialty tools that aren’t required all the time but ones I rely on when I need some extra care and attention.
I’m a driven person so it is easy for me to take on more projects than I should at times. Whilst I love to be busy and have a purpose, sometimes my body and mind remind me that I’m overdoing it and I need to take a break.
Keeping active mentally and physically is certainly the way to age well but when I start overdoing it I start to burn out and that is definitely not the key to ageing well!
During these times I turn to my ‘specialty tools’ to help me find balance in life and get back on track.
My top 3 specialty tools that I rely on are:
1. Taking a technology detox and enjoying an Inspirational Flow Day.
Now being a blogger, social media is a huge part of sharing my stories. I have two facebook pages one for Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond and one Thriving Health & Wellness.
I also have a facebook group, Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond – Let’s Thrive. These mediums all require regular input from me on a regular basis. Sometimes though, we need to walk away from technology and just enjoy an Inspirational Flow day.
What is an Inspirational Flow Day?
Basically, it is a day that you surrender yourself to and not make any plans. You ‘go with the flow’ and feel the freedom of not being tied to time or doing anything to a schedule. You do what you feel like doing and listen to what your body and mind tells you it needs.
2. Regular Health Screening
I have a family medical history that includes cancer and heart disease. I’m very conscious of what medical screening I require to reduce the risk or have early detection.
3. Enjoying some pamper time
Whether I indulge in a DIY spa at home or enjoy being pampered with a visit to the salon, pamper time is a specialty tool that I call upon when I’m in need of a mental lift.
Do you have a toolbox for Healthy Living? Does it need an audit and a restock?
Sue Loncaric, Founder, Sizzling Toward 60 & Beyond
Sue Loncaric is an Australian Over 50 lifestyle blogger, certified health and life coach for women and the founder of Sizzling Towards Sixty & Beyond.
Currently studying her Certificate III in Fitness, Sue is passionate about living a full and active life in Midlife & Beyond. Her mission is to encourage and inspire women Over 50 to live a fit, fabulous, healthier and happier lifestyle by guiding them to realize their full potential.
Be sure to visit Sue on her blog as well as social media:
- Website: Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
- Facebook: Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
- Facebook: Thriving Health & Wellness
- Facebook Group: Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond – Let’s Thrive
- Instagram: @SizzlingTowards60&Beyond
Read more posts from the Midlife Tool Box Series
Are you interested in submitting a guest post for this series? Contact me at candi@inspiremystyle.com and include your blog or website URL. We’ll have a chat! Thanks.
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Great article! I especially appreciated reading about those specialty tools. The tools we don’t need all of the time but every now and then need to use. Whether it’s making it to my schedule check up or just putting down the electronics for a day. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Margaret, I’m so pleased you enjoyed the post and yes my specialty tools sometimes work overtime LOL:)
Hi Margaret, I agree that we need to remember when to put those special tools into practice. It can make such a difference in how we feel!
Lovely to see Sue here on your blog Candi, and always her tips and advice are spot on. It’s a new world for many of us entering this next stage and we all need the support of each other as we progress through, so many thanks for sharing this knowledge! Shared for #mlstl
Hi Debbie, Sue has some wise advice for us here, I agree. And learning from each other as we go through the process is invaluable. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Candi – wonderful seeing Sue over here today (I love how cosmopolitan and multinational blogging is!) Sue is definitely a great advocate to Aging well and doing it in a balanced way. I think her very first point about having a good attitude is really the key for me. No matter what life deals you, if you choose positivity and joy then you make it easy for others to be around you and all the other tools slot into place.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂
Hi Leanne, that’s a very good point. Our attitude really does affect everything else we do! Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks Leanne for your lovely words and yes I like the sound of being cosmopolitan 🙂
Thank you for having me as your guest Candi and I love your Midlife Toolbox idea. Great to see you also at #MLSTL. I look forward to reading more posts in the series. I will be publishing a link post to your post on Friday. xx
It’s an honor to have you here, Sue! The rest of the series will be wonderful, as I have a talented and wise group of bloggers coming up. Thanks for sharing. xo
I’m so new to even what a blog is. I’m 62, disabled forced into retirement RN & want to start a midlife blog. I have SO MUCH to learn!
Love all these posts!!! Great advice!!
Question, what is MLSTL?
Hi Diana, thanks so much for stopping by! I’m sure your life experience will give you many topics for cover on a midlife blog. It can be overwhelming to start, and I’ll be honest, there is a big learning curve. But it is also very rewarding! I have some tips for you in this post: https://inspiremystyle.com/2019/02/17/beginners-guide-to-blogging/ Thanks!
Hi Candi (and Sue)…
This is a great list of helpful ideas for us mid-lifers. And it fits so well into your August them of Ageing Well, Sue!
Am learning so much from my midlife blogging friends.
#MLSTL
Hi Nancy, I’m learning so much, too. It really is a wonderful connection that we have1 Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Nancy, I loved Candi’s idea of the Midlife Tool Box and it really started me thinking of all the tools I use to live a healthy and active lifestyle. It certainly fits well with my Ageing Well in August theme and Candi and I are usually on the same page regarding health and wellness.
I really enjoyed this post. All these tips hit home for me! My daughter moved home for a gap year between college and grad school and she is the best influence on me to eat well and exercise. I think it helps a lot when you have a partner in wellness.
Thanks for the great post!
Hi Theresa, what a wonderful gift! Not only do you get to spend some time with your daughter, she is also doing something very special for you. A partner can make so much difference when working toward a goal.
Hi Theresa having someone to keep fit and active with certainly helps and how lovely to share that with your daughter. We all need our cheerleaders and supporters don’t we?
Thank you Candi and Sue. These are certainly tools we can all use for aging well. We often think about the physical aspects of aging well, but things like attitude and staying connected are just as important. I love that Sue’s toolbox encompasses a holistic view of wellness. Have a lovely week, ladies!
Hi Christie, I agree…Sue’s tips cover a much-needed array of healthy living ‘tools’! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Hi, Sue – I like what’s in your toolbox, especially your speciality tools. This is a great reminder to built healthy routines but to also keep ourselves flexible and open.
Thank you, Candi, for this inspirational series and for featuring Sue here.
Thanks, Donna, it is a real pleasure and an honor to have Sue as a guest on my blog. She is an inspiration for sure!
Hi Candi and Sue. What a great start to a wonderful series about healthy aging. I love how my fellow bloggers have gotten together to share these tools. I agree with you , Sue. Attitude is one of the most important tools and it’s one I’ve been really focused on lately. I’m learning to be comfortable with who I am, as well. thanks for sharing Candi. I look for ward to reading more.
Hi Christina, I agree that our attitude can make all the difference in our overall health and perspective. Thanks for stopping in!
Great post. I’m facing many of these issues as well..