“Fifty is the new forty.” You hear that all the time, don’t you? My question is: Why can’t 50 be what it is: 50? Fifty can be fabulous. By the time you reach your fifties, usually the kids are out of the house and supporting themselves (or they should be). You are established in a career, possibly have your fingers crossed for an early (and generous) retirement package. Think about being able to fulfill a long-held secret wish for a totally different career path. A woman I know was an accountant with an affinity for animals. She retired and is now a veterinary technician. A former CEO, overwhelmed with the responsibility, is enjoying life as a pool boy. My point here is that the fifties can be a transformational time of life.
There is so much to look forward to—all the things you’ve dreamed about doing. No, don’t call it “bucket list.” I hear that and I think “elderly” and I think of people who are on their way out. That isn’t you. In some ways, you are just beginning. So start off by letting your outward appearance reflect the smart, savvy, interesting person you are inside. You already know that you need to exercise and eat healthfully. I’m going to skip over those and give you some really easy ways to improve your appearance.
- Smile. Yes, something that simple. If you don’t believe it, get someone to take a candid photo of you with your face in repose. Then a photo when you are smiling. Incredible difference, right?
- Whiten your teeth. Give that smile as much kilowatt as you can. It’s a fact of life that teeth become discolored. Dentists have several kinds of treatments. Or, if you prefer, do-it-yourself kits are available in drugstores.
- Stand up straight. As distressing as the thought is, our bodies as they age seem to want to return to their beginnings, the fetal stage. Head and shoulders droop forward. Chest curls inward. Spine begins to shift from its “S” shape back to a “C.” The posture is screaming “Old!” There are several ways to improve your posture. The tried and true method of balancing a book on your head still works.
- Add color to your wardrobe. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe. Some wisely selected items can make all the difference in how you look and, consequently, feel. Begin by looking for items that bring out your eye color: orange for blue eyes and purple for green eyes. Brown is a neutral color so warm reds and oranges enhance brown eyes, as do bright blues and deep purple. Once you get into clothing with color, you’ll find yourself venturing onto a spectrum of colors.
- Get your hair restyled by a professional. Even if you don’t like it, it’s worth the experience. You’ve gotten out of the hair rut and, no big deal, it’ll grow out. It will show you that there are choices other than the style you’ve had since the 1990s.
Suppose you have a whole other hair problem—it’s getting thin. Genetic pattern baldness is very common in folks over 50. Medications and hair transplants have been traditional remedies. Medications can have adverse side effects. A hair transplant is surgery—and all that surgery implies. Besides, both methods are a slow road to a healthy head of hair.
Suppose you could regrow your hair by treating it 30 minutes, every other day? Too good to be true? Not at all. Kiierr Laser Hair Growth Caps use a low-level light therapy to stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth safely.
The technology has been in use for some time, but available only in devices used in hair clinics and similar in-office situations. Now you have the advantage of receiving the treatment at home or anywhere you go. Put the cap on your head and go about your day—as you work, walk, drive. You can even play golf! You owe it to yourself to look into the Laser Cap. You’ll be looking fabulous over 50 and everyone will be wondering your secret!
