Healthy living in your 50s

You're in your 50s! What can you do to live a healthier life? Be healthier with one — or all — of the steps below! Get the conversation started at your next well-woman visit with this list.

Every day, I will try to:

Eat healthy — use the MyPlate Plan to get started

Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity

Get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep

Reach and maintain a healthy weight

Get help to quit or not start smoking

Limit alcohol use to 1 drink or less

Not use illegal drugs or misuse prescription drugs

Wear a helmet when riding a bike and wear protective gear for sports

Wear a seat belt in cars and not text and drive

I will talk to my doctor at least once a year about:

Menopause symptoms

My weight, diet, and physical activity level

Whether I use tobacco, alcohol, or drugs

Any violence in my life

Depression and any other mental health concerns

My family health history, especially my risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes

I will ask my doctor whether I am at higher risk of or need these tests, medicines, or vaccines this year:

Low-dose aspirin

Blood pressure

Breast cancer prevention medicines

Cholesterol

Colorectal cancer

Diabetes

Flu

Hepatitis A, B, and C

HIV

Lung cancer (if 55 and older and smoking now or have quit within the last 15 years)

Mammogram

Measles, mumps, and rubella

Meningitis

Osteoporosis

Pap and HPV

Shingles

Sexually transmitted infections

Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough

Tuberculosis

Urinary incontinence

Download/Print this checklist (PDF, 247 KB)

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The decision to get any medical test or procedure, at any age, is a personal one between you and your doctor. These age ranges may not apply to every person.

These guidelines are based on recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (link is external), the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the Women's Preventive Services Guidelines, the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

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