Secrets to a happier and more peaceful you in Your 40s and 50s
There’s an age-old saying that goes, “Life begins at 40.” As your 20s and 30s were all about excitement, adventure as you explored life and opportunities, entering your 40s and 50s means gaining self-assurance and self-confidence, embracing your own skin and personality as you settle in your own identity.
When you’ve reached this stage of your life, it’s likely that you’ve gone through so much: from friendships and heartbreaks to wins and losses that had to be gained through hard-earned lessons. Your 40s and 50s are when you experience life on your own terms, as you confidently navigate through the world without being confined by the restrictions of others.
As you’ve been taught to be kind to others while growing up, it’s time to practice a time-honored mantra: “Be kind to yourself.” Caring for yourself doesn’t entail much: just simple yet powerful practices that become a habit over time. This Valentine’s Day, learn to embrace joy and inner light so you can shine it on others; all it takes are simple steps!
Practice gratitude.
One way to care for your mental health and evoke inner peace is to practice being thankful. The Greater Good research center at UC Berkeley explained that gratitude was key to improving the state of one’s mental health and imparting lasting effects on the brain, as it releases one from toxic emotions.
Start by writing a letter of gratitude to a person you have always wanted to thank for whatever reason and deliver it in person. Or, start a daily gratitude journal so you can always list down the things you are grateful for at the end of each day, even at the end of a particularly bad one.
Make meaningful connections.
Your 20s and 30s allowed you to explore friendship, meet new people and network as you learned more about other people’s personalities as well as your own, and which qualities you would like to see in your friends. Now in your 40s and 50s, it’s time to make connections really count. Engage in active listening and truly understand a person in conversation—listen to understand and empathize, and not just to respond. Be honest and open with others, and know when to stop when someone is wasting your time.
As you get older, choosing the company you keep becomes even more important. Because negativity is contagious, you need to surround yourself with positive people. Making the right connections helps improve your life and, according to one study, live longer!
Get enough sleep.
You may have sacrificed several sleeping hours in your earlier years, yet sleep in middle age can begin to feel, well, restless. You may find yourself tossing and turning and waking up at the slightest interruption of light or sound. With this in mind, remember that adults in their 40s and 50s need to clock in about 7 to 8 hours of sleep in a day.
Regardless of whatever reason, put in an effort to go to bed on time. Try to stop doing work-related tasks after 8 pm. Cut off screen time from your phone or laptop an hour before going to bed—its blue light can prevent you from getting a good night’s rest.
Care for your skin.
It is essential to care for your skin not just for aesthetics, but also for your skin’s health—and your mental health, in fact. Not only does an established skincare routine at this age help with aging and sun exposure concerns, but it can also relax you as a daily regimen can be calming and an empowering habit.
Women in their 40s and 50s will need to add intensive moisturizing products to their beauty arsenal in order to beat the aging process, as well as nourish dry skin.
Ultra Moisturizing Face Cream, ₱2,400.00
The Neostrata Ultra Moisturizing Face Cream, formulated for dry and sensitive skin, is chock-full of ingredients such as Gluconolactone, Vitamin E and Evening Primrose CN that deeply penetrates the skin, improving texture, lines and skin clarity.
Those with particularly sensitive skin may also reach for the Bionic Face Cream, an anti-aging face cream that soothes and calms devitalized skin, providing intense hydration.
Always remember to hydrate.
Dehydration is always concerning for anyone, yet it becomes more pressing as you age. As you get older, your sense of thirst becomes diminished—hence, it becomes more difficult to tell whether you’re tired or actually thirsty. Keep your body functions optimal and your skin glowing by being more diligent with your hydration—adults are recommended to drink almost 2 liters of water a day.
Clean your face thoroughly before going to bed.
Always remember to take off your makeup before going to bed. A gentle cleanser will help rinse the skin without irritation or dryness.
Restore: PHA Facial Cleanser, ₱2,800.00
The Restore: PHA Facial Cleanser is a soap-free cleanser that contains polyhydroxy acid, or PHA, that exfoliates the skin without irritating or drying your face. This anti-aging facial cleanser is recommended for dry skin and sensitive skin types.
Treat dark circles.
Your under-eye area is the thinnest and most fragile part of your face. Lack of sleep, genetics, and the passage of time all affect the appearance of dark circles, wrinkles, and puffy eyes. Additionally, we exert more effort on our eye and facial muscles more than we realize — the skin under the eye houses 22 muscles in constant motion that we use when we blink, twitch, and widen our eyes. No wonder the under-eye is always the first to show signs of aging!
Intensive Eye Therapy, ₱3,750.00
The Intensive Eye Therapy is a powerful eye cream that is suitable for all skin types, stimulating the production of collagen. This contains peptides for collagen production and NeoGlucosamine that strengthens collagen structure.
Use sunscreen everyday.
Dermatologists and media ads constantly remind us about the importance of sunscreen, a product that is all too easy to neglect. Still, SPF is absolutely essential, and a must for women in their 40s and 50s. Covet makeup products that are optimized for sun protection and repair with a smooth and lightweight finish.
Heliocare 360 Color Cushion Compact, ₱1,950.00
The Heliocare 360 Color Cushion Compact contains SPF 50 and is enriched with antioxidants and other ingredients that repair and restore skin with a lightweight finish.
Heliocare 360 Color Gel Oil-free, ₱1,750.00
For an oil-free alternative that can double as your foundation, reach for the 360 Color Gel Oil-Free, a tinted product that provides a natural finish.
Discover more about how you can have firmer, younger-looking skin here. You can also learn more about the finest skincare products thoughtfully selected for you by Bella Pelle Philippines here.
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