10 ways to keep that youthful feeling during isolation. Yes! wearing color is one.

IC Collection Tunic from Dillards on Over 50 Feeling 40

This seems to be about the time that many of us are feeling weary and, dare I say it, old! So, I have identified 10 ways to keep that youthful feeling during isolation.  The fact that many of us have been shut inside and encouraged not to have human contact, can make anyone…no matter their age…feel old and unmotivated.  It is so important to not give-in to this and to be purposeful to make changes….now!

IT’S REALLY PRETTY SIMPLE

  1. Get out of bed…shower…put on make up…and fix your hair!  Do these things…even if you do not think you will see anyone else that day…you see you in the mirror and you want to feel youthful and still in the game. I know I say this often, but there are so many posts out there during the stay at home time of this pandemic encouraging people to be the opposite.  It is a dangerous slippery slope to depression.
  2. Put on something colorful that brightens your spirits.  I would like to respond to reader Lily today.  Yesterday she asked what has happened to my more fitted, shorter garments.  My best answer is that they are on vacation.  While working from home, I have worn more comfortable, loose styled outfits simply for comfort sake.  My fitted, shorter garments are in all of the clothing I was wearing to work, and places I met people…lunch, church, shopping, blog events and meetings, etc. They will return, but my pictures lately have featured my favorite work-from-home-styles and they are the looser, more comfortable outfits. I still make sure I am having fun with them! Let me know if that explains it, Lily?
  3. If you are not doing this already, then begin today to Live One Day at a Time. Live is short. Do not waste it waiting for the all clear to return to life as we knew it before COVID-19.  Set daily goals every day. 

Take art classes on Over 50 Feeling 40

4. But, Pam…you say…I have organized every closet, and cleaned out all debris.  What do I do next?  Sounds like it is time to expand your horizons and learn something new.  I have also discussed this before.  Take an online class and pursue a passion you have wanted to pursue.  The above is a painting one of my closest friends painted for me….take a painting class.  You can almost find a class for anything you would like to learn online.  Start researching today.

5. Build your immunity with healthy foods and supplements so when you can go out, you are ready to go out and feel safe. What about taking an online cooking class for healthy eating?  You just knocked off two on the list.  I also take Juice Plus supplements and GOLI to build my immunity. GOLI are the chewable apple cider vinegar supplements.  I am such a fan.  Make a personal plan today to build your immunity.

Pamela Lutrell for Goli Gummies

6. When you have the opportunity, it is always a good idea to experience sunlight in small doses.  Sunlight is healing and inspiring.  Even if you go out for just five minutes, feel the warmth on your skin (hopefully covered in sunscreen) and take a few minutes for some deep inhale and exhaling exercises.  

7. Don’t listen to all those in social media telling you to get a big, fluffy chair, a blanket, fuzzy slippers, and a movie or TV marathon with snacks.  Those days certainly have their place, but day after day of isolation time can drain us and age us.

Host a virtual tea party on over 50 Feeling 40

8. Host a virtual tea party with a friend or family member.  Yes, get out the good china, send a evite and meet with friends and family often online.  Do not be afraid of Zoom or any of the video meeting apps.  They are easy to learn if you are not already going to business meetings online.   Make sure everyone brings their favorite tea and treat to the party.  Lot’s of people are having virtual Happy Hours together at the end of the day…if you prefer that to tea…go for it!

9. Of course, practice positivity.  Do not let the Debbie Downers and Nancy Negatives get to you…only fair, I will make up one with my name…the Pam Pout-ers…just don’t do it.  I love being a “glass-half-full” kind of girl.  It is fun, but sometimes we need to check ourselves and say out loud STOP, when we feel negativity beginning to take center stage.  Disclaimer: Grieving does have its place and should be done in a healthy manner.  Some of you may be grieving the loss of loved ones during this time or the loss of income.  Make sure you seek professionals who can help you if the grieving is taking over your ability to function. By allowing time to grieve and pray over your grief should help you to go forward in a mentally healthy way.  If you need someone to pray for you, send me an email at over50feeling40@gmail.com.

10. Decide to make a difference. You can do this when shut up inside.  Pick issues that are important to you.  If it is important for your grandchildren to love school or to learn manners, then make them funny videos everyday with your phone and send them in a text.  Or begin writing journals just to a child or grandchild.  Write letters to leaders to encourage or give your opinion on policies…but make sure you become part of solutions and not just a complaint. You can rally city leaders from your computer for an additional Stop Sign in the neighborhood.  There are advocates right now needed to help draw more attention to the state of care in nursing homes.  Look at how many lives have been lost in nursing homes from coronavirus.  There are so many things you can do from your computer at home.  Becoming a problem-solver is invigorating! 

 

HAPPY FEET, HAPPY LIFE!

Over 50 Feeling 40 BZee Sandals

I know you thought the saying was “happy wife, happy life,”  but dare to differ….because when my feet are happy, all is right in my world!  I wore these shoes in yesterday’s picture and said I would discuss them today.  Meet BZEES, machine wash, air dry, super comfy shoes.  They asked to send a pair to me to try out and I seriously love the comfort and feel of these shoes.  Add the fact that they can be washed makes them even better.  Check out the new BZEES collections.

Also, while I am waiting to see my nail technician again and get a pedicure.  I am soaking my feet often in this soak below.  It is good to do it toward bedtime because the lavender is relaxing!

Feeling younger, yet?  Well, how about some fun spring clothing to help?  Here is today’s fashion slideshow………

 

Remember, in our social distancing world, your smile is the way you send hugs!  

KEEP SMILING….and HUGGING!

By Pamela Lutrell

Disclaimer:  I was donated product for this post, but the words are my own.

22 Comments

  1. This is certainly timely! I was feeling really down already today and decided to read your post before I do my workout. Your colorful outfits are really so pretty, and I’m going to wear something springy and colorful today in spite of the high struggling to get out of the 30’s. You are so right about getting dressed and putting on makeup regardless of if we’ll see anyone. We do see ourselves! I really understand people who might be under a blanket in their PJ’s, but I just can’t do it myself because it would wreak havoc on my already faltering psyche! Your offer some very good tips here. I’m going out with my sister today to run some errands and we’re going to stop for coffee and it feels like a really big deal!! I noticed your straw tote and need to put that on my shopping list – nothing says spring/summer quite like one of those! Thank you for all the tips to help us feel younger and have a better outlook. Living each day is so very important, or finding something in each day to bring beauty into our lives.

  2. Enjoy that time out and about, Karen! I am glad you took the time to read before you slipped into a funk. Have fun today!

  3. So right with the wash the hair etc. When I let mine go for a few days, I got more ‘down’ so I keep up the lipstick and brows and liner. I have started to use up the body butters that I have stocked up on, and boy the difference to wake up to smooth skin every morning is a great perc. I have gotten out the summer maxi skirts to wear in the house just to feel feminine as well. You always have great suggestions for us, even if we only take a few at a time it helps. Oh, and putting on perfume just for me.

  4. Good tips Pam. I’ve been cooking than usual and using good china + cloth napkins every night. This makes a big difference for me, my family and the environment. I think we all learned to slow down in this crisis. Stay well.

  5. You too! I agree with you that slowing down for awhile has been a perk of being home!

  6. These are all wonderful suggestions on the post today! Fortunately, my husband and I are part of the “Essential” workforce (I work in agriculture and he works in manufacturing), and are required to still go out to work. We lead a pretty simple, quiet lifestyle already, so the things that really are affecting us are not seeing the children/grandchildren, not being able to go to church and not going out to eat on the weekend… (Other than precautions we are taking and cancelled appointments by dentists, hair appointment, etc – thankfully, we buy staples when they are on sale, so the pantry was stocked with plenty of toilet paper! 🙂 So all this marathon movie watching in pj’s on the couch and cleaning out closets has not happened at my house! On weekends, we have been working outside at home – he’s been on the tractor, I’ve been working in the flowers…. Pollen has been horrendous here in Georgia, but thankfully it’s getting better. I can see how depressing it would be if I didn’t get out AT ALL…. Pam, I so enjoy your posts and really appreciate all your hard work and wonderful suggestions and encouragement! Looking forward to brighter days!

  7. I couldn’t agree more about dressing with color. I live alone and am currently working from home. Although I dress casual in jeans now (save on the dry cleaning), I still get up, get dressed and put on a colorful top or sweater (our weather in Ohio is winter one day, summer the next). I did the all day PJ’s a few times the first week of the stay at home order, but didn’t feel well after a few days of it. It was a fun luxury that got old quickly.

  8. I’ve always tried to take care with my personal appearance even when going to the grocery, but it was really brought home to me last Friday on what it can do. I had one item in the Express Lane with 6 people ahead of me with arms laden and carts at the express max level. The gentleman in front of me looked back and noticing I only had one item suggested I go to the Customer Service desk, that they’d probably help. He said he’d hold my place in line if they didn’t. So off I tootled and sure enough they helped me……I turned to look at him and we gave each other the thumbs up from across the room. Now, he probably is a gentleman at all times, but I think that having clean hair, light make up, coordinating clothes and nice flats (rather than tennies or runners) reminded him of his gentlemanly manners. I know it reminded me that I should always—no just most times—make that little effort so I carry myself better and give better first impressions.

    All good suggestions from you, as usual.

  9. Self care is so important during times of stress. Showering, doing our hair & make-up, & dressing in attractive clothes is part of that self care. I am writing in my journal & sending thank you notes & other notes to people. I am also turning off the news & turning on the music. Music has always been a mood booster for me.

  10. I have several pairs of BZees. I just love them! They are super comfy to wear all day. In fact, since they’re washable, I’ve turned a pair into my “house” shoes! The sandals you got look really cute. I may order them for another pair of just-at-home shoes for summer, at least until I can be out and about more.

  11. They are super comfy…first pair and I am impressed. Thanks for sharing, Susan.

  12. Oh, yes to all of these, Pamela! I practiced these things BEFORE this latest crisis but maybe not as much as I could have; I’m determined to follow them long after. One thing this virus has done for my husband & me is remind us why we retired early 3 years ago, which was to spend more time together. We’re best friends & enjoy being together but we also get busy & there are days we pass in the hallway on our way to doing something & don’t really connect. We’ve refocused on each other: reading books to each other, long walks, long chats, reassessing future plans & goals. When I was cleaning out a bookcase I found an old dog-earred copy of the Kama Sutra . . . at the risk of embarrassing anyone, let’s just say we’re spending some very enjoyable time together . . . um, reading it. [We were a lot younger & a lot more limber last time we explored its pages together! But one advantage of age is a better developed sense of humor :-)] And just a reminder that we all need to be kind not just to each other, but to ourselves. Sometimes that big chair, blanket, fuzzy slippers, good movie & a snack are EXACTLY what we need most & we shouldn’t be shy about embracing them. And thank you for your gentle offerings, too, Pamela. You make a difference.

  13. I agree that rest is needed, Janet. There are days I long for that comfu chair…this was just a warning not to get too comfy!! Sometimes it can become an escape from life. Enjoyed your comment…thanks for being here.

  14. The watching TV thing hit me.
    My husband has been glued to his computer throughout this entire time. He spends too much time watching his stocks -a dismal activity right now- and reading crazy stuff.
    Then he’s recounting all this doom and gloom to me.
    I’ve taken to reminding him that we’re supposed to be watching TV, and no I don’t mean news shows!
    It’s a good time to launch into space with ScFi, or ride a horse across the desert with a cowboy, or investigate a body in an ivy covered cottage in a green place.

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