Self-Care Over 60: Simple Ideas For A Healthier Life

Self-care is so often underrated and overlooked, but it shouldn’t be, especially as we stumble into our golden years.

I used to put it off like it was nobody’s business.

I mean, who has time for themselves when you’re juggling parents, kids, work, and a million other things?

But now that we’re over 60, shouldn’t we be able to make a little time for ourselves?

Well, if you’re anything like me, you’re still pushing it to the bottom of the to-do list.

Is it because you think that self-care is selfish – I know I did.

But I’ve found out that it’s not. It’s actually one of the most important things that we can do for ourselves!

It doesn’t have to be anything super time consuming, you can go get a pedi or do your own at home, go for a walk, or just sit outside to get some Vitamin D.

We can all come up with an hour or so in our day to just focus on ourselves.

Self-care can revitalize your mind, body and spirit!

I thought that I would share a few self-care ideas that I’ve personally tried and found to be perfect, especially with aging.

So, let’s dive in and discover the many ways we can add a little self-care to our everyday lives!

Trust me, you deserve it.

Table of Contents

Physical Self-Care Tips and Tricks

When it comes to self-care, taking care of our physical health is just as important as our mental health.

Here are some physical self-care strategies that can help you feel better as you age.

Exercise and Fitness Tips

Regular exercise is so important for staying healthy.

It helps strengthen our muscles and improve our balance and flexibility, which is extremely important as we get older.

Exercise can be as easy or as challenging as you want!

If you have physical limitations, you can certainly work around that.

There are several ways that you can work out, even in a chair!

Have you tried chair yoga? If not, you should!

Get Outside

Take a stroll around the neighborhood, hop on a bicycle, and relive your youth.

If you feel healthy enough, go for a 30-minute jog.

The fresh air will do wonders for you physically and mentally!

Strength Training

Strength training is especially important as we get older. It is a known fact that we lose muscle mass as we age.

It’s also a great stress reliever – trust me – some days I just get lost in thought while I’m lifting.

Try to do strength training exercises at least twice a week. This can be with weights, a resistance band, or even body weight.

Low Impact Exercise

Expand your horizons with some low-impact exercises like yoga, Pilates, or swimming.

Add stretching exercises into your daily routine.

This can be simple or complicated – you choose.

You will feel so much better after a good stretch.

It’s good for the mind and the body!

Finding your why to exercise - warrior 2

Mental Health Self-Care Strategies

As we age, it’s common to experience changes in our mood and mental health.

Here are some self-care ideas to help you maintain good mental and emotional health:

Stress Management Techniques

Stress can have a negative impact on our mental and physical health.

So, it’s super important to find a way to manage your stress.

Here are a few options to try:

Deep breathing exercises

There are several apps on your phone, like Calm, and I also found all kinds of different YouTube channels to help with this.

Try to do this a few times a day—you will be surprised at how beneficial it can be!

Yoga or gentle stretching

Again, you can find a lot of YouTube channels if you don’t know where to start.

Stretching and yoga can keep you flexible and feeling young.

Listen to Music

Taking time to listen to music can for sure help to decrease your stress.

This can be calming music or sing-it-loud, sing-it-proud music (my personal favorite for calming me down!).

Spending time in nature

Just sit outside for 30-60 minutes or go for a walk or a hike.

Whatever you are physically able to do.

This always clears my mind.

Talk to a friend or family member.

There is nothing better than venting, laughing, and reminiscing with someone to warm your heart and refocus your mind.

cardio exercises after a knee replacement

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation practices can help you stay present and calm, even in difficult situations.

I personally practice this at the beginning of every day.

It just helps to start my day on a positive note.

Here are some ideas to get started:

Try a guided meditation app or class. Check out YouTube or Spotify. There are several to choose from!
Practice mindful breathing or body scans
Take a mindful walk, focusing on all of your senses.
Attend a mindfulness or meditation workshop. I have not personally tried this, but it is definitely on my to-try list.

Hobbies and Creative Activities

Starting a hobby or creative activities can be a great way to boost your mood and mental health.

Here are some ideas to consider:

Painting or drawing
Knitting or crocheting
Sewing – my personal favorite!
Playing music, singing or dancing
Writing or journaling
Gardening or cooking or baking.

Personal Activities for Seniors

Here are some great personal activities to consider:

Skincare and Beauty Routines

Taking care of your skin and appearance can boost your confidence and mood.

Here are some skincare and beauty routines to try:

Facial or Massage

Treat yourself to a facial or massage to relax and rejuvenate.

I’m a big fan of this!

Mani-Pedi

If you have never had a mani-pedi, give it a try.

You will feel yourself relaxing immediately.

Try a New hairstyle or make-up.

Experiment with makeup and hairstyles to find a new look that makes you feel good.

Maybe change up your hair color—you never know, pink, purple, or even going gray might look good on you!

Shake it up a bit!

Relaxing Bath

Okay, full disclosure: this is a big go-to for me!

On those days when I just need to exhale, I run a warm bath with Epsom salts and light some candles.

I usually put in my headset and listen to a calming meditation.

When I’m done, I’m ready to take on the world!

Social Connections

Having social connections is huge for your mental and emotional health.

Find a Club or Group

Join a club or group that peaks your interests, maybe a book club or a gardening group.

Volunteer

So many different places love volunteers.

Your local hospital, cancer center, and local events.

This will make your heart happy and who knows, you might make new friends.

Attend Social Events

Attend social events, like parties or gatherings, to connect with friends and family.

Enjoy a day with the grandkids.

Lifelong Learning Opportunities

Learning new things can keep your mind sharp and engaged.

Here are few to consider:

Take a class or workshop

Find a topic that interests you, like cooking or photography, and then check out your community college or park district to find a class or workshop.

Read books

Grab a book or article on something you’re curious about.

It’s never to late to expand your knowledge.

Attend lectures

Try to find a lecture or talk on current events or cultural topics.

Travel

If you are physically able to travel to new places to learn about different cultures and ways of life, go for it.

Remember, self-care is not selfish.

Taking care of yourself can fill your tank. You can’t help anyone else if your tank is empty.

Nutrition and Hydration

Make sure that you are fueling your body with a healthy, well-balanced diet.

As we age, our bodies require fewer calories, but we still need to make sure we are getting enough of the right nutrients to stay healthy.

Some nutrition and hydration tips include:

Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day
Limiting your intake of processed foods, saturated fats, and added sugars.

beginner bike rider - fueling for the ride

Rest and Sleep

Getting enough rest and sleep is also important for our physical health.

It helps your body repair and regenerate.

Some tips to think about:

Getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Starting a regular sleep routine
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime
Creating a comfortable sleep environment.

Self-Care Plan for Mind, Body, Spirit

Now is the time to prioritize your health and happiness and explore new experiences.

Take that first step today and start living your best life over 60.

Remember, your age is just a number – it’s the way you approach life that truly matters.

So, make self-care a priority and watch as your life transforms before your eyes.

As the saying goes, “It’s never too late to be who you might have been.”

So, get out there and be unapologetically you because our golden years are meant to be filled with joy, adventure, and self-discovery.

Start living your best life over 60 – you deserve it.

Self-Care Over 60: Simple Ideas for a Healthier Life