Welcome to Wellness Wisdom—Your Weekly Guide to Thriving After 50
Each week, you’ll find simple, effective health tips, inspiring insights, and practical strategies designed to help you feel your best—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
No matter where you are on your wellness journey, we’re here to support, encourage, and walk alongside you every step of the way.
Let’s keep growing stronger, healthier, and more energized—together.
Wellness Wisdom Weekly - Your Guide to Living Well After 50
Wellness Wisdom Weekly - Your Guide to Living Well After 50
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Happiness is one of humanity’s most enduring pursuits. Across cultures, generations, and ideologies, the idea of a “happy life” drives our decisions, relationships, and dreams. And yet, for something so universally desired, happiness is notoriously difficult to define.
Welcome to Issue 20 of Wellness Wisdom!
What Does It Mean to Be Happy?
What Does It Mean to Be Happy?
Introduction
1. Being in Nature
2. Gratitude
3. Healthy Connections with Others
4. Mindfulness and Contemplation
5. Performing Acts of Kindness
6. Pursuit of Meaning
Final Thoughts
Key Takeaways
Let's Reclaim our Health Together
Happiness is one of humanity’s most enduring pursuits. Across cultures, generations, and ideologies, the idea of a “happy life” drives our decisions, relationships, and dreams. And yet, for something so universally desired, happiness is notoriously difficult to define.
When asked what makes life truly joyful, few people — especially those who’ve lived a full life — point to money, fame, or possessions. Wealth can provide comfort and security, but it rarely guarantees lasting fulfillment. Instead, happiness tends to arise from simpler, deeper experiences — the kind that nourish our emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being.
Let’s explore six powerful and research-backed elements that contribute to lasting happiness:
Modern life often keeps us indoors — glued to screens, confined to concrete, and disconnected from the very world that sustained our ancestors for millennia. Yet when we step into a forest, feel the sun on our skin, or breathe the scent of fresh pine, something shifts.
Nature restores. Scientific studies show that spending time in nature reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), lowers blood pressure, and improves mood. The Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing” is not just poetic; it’s profoundly therapeutic. Even brief exposure to green spaces can increase feelings of vitality and decrease anxiety and depression.
But beyond the science is the simple truth: nature reminds us that we are part of something larger.
Watching a sunset, walking by a lake, or hearing birdsong can return us to the present moment. In that space of stillness and awe, we often rediscover a deep sense of peace — a quiet joy that money can’t buy.
How to integrate nature into your life:
Take a daily walk in a nearby park.
Plan weekly outdoor time — even if it’s just in your backyard.
Grow a small garden or tend to houseplants.
Turn off devices and listen to the sounds of the natural world.
Happiness often lies just beyond your front door.
If happiness had a secret ingredient, it might be gratitude. Countless studies show that those who practice regular gratitude — through journaling, meditation, or mindful reflection — report significantly higher levels of well-being.
Gratitude shifts focus from what’s missing to what’s present. Instead of chasing happiness, we start noticing it.
Too often, we live in the "when-I" mindset: I'll be happy when I get the raise… when I retire… when I find the right partner. But when we practice gratitude, we realize that life is already offering us small gifts: a kind word, a beautiful morning, a shared laugh, or even just the gift of breath.
Simple gratitude practices:
Keep a nightly gratitude journal. Write down 3 things you’re thankful for.
Start your day with a moment of appreciation before checking your phone.
Express gratitude to others — with a note, a message, or a smile.
Gratitude doesn’t ignore life’s challenges. It simply widens the lens to include its blessings too.
If there’s one consistent finding across all happiness research, it’s this: strong, meaningful relationships are essential.
Harvard’s 85+ year Study of Adult Development revealed that close relationships — more than money, IQ, or fame — are the key to happiness and longevity. Not just romantic relationships, but friendships, family ties, and community bonds.
We are social beings. We need to be seen, heard, and supported. Isolation, on the other hand, is a silent epidemic — one that’s linked to depression, disease, and early death.
Healthy relationships offer:
Emotional support in difficult times.
Shared joy in moments of celebration.
A sense of belonging and purpose.
Ways to cultivate connection:
Call or visit someone you’ve been meaning to reconnect with.
Join a group — a walking club, book club, or volunteer team.
Be present in conversations. Listen deeply.
Invest in quality time over quantity.
In the end, it’s not how many people we know, but how deeply we connect with a few.
Happiness isn’t just about what happens to us. It’s about how we respond. And mindfulness — the art of paying attention to the present moment without judgment — helps us respond with awareness rather than reactivity.
Mindfulness slows down the racing mind. It teaches us to notice thoughts without being ruled by them. Through regular practice — whether meditation, deep breathing, or simply paying attention during everyday tasks — we begin to experience more peace, clarity, and contentment.
It also deepens our appreciation for life’s small joys: the warmth of a cup of tea, the feel of sunlight, or the laughter of a child.
Mindfulness doesn’t require a retreat in the Himalayas. Try:
5 minutes of deep breathing in the morning.
A silent walk in nature.
Mindful eating: savor each bite without distraction.
Journaling or prayer in a quiet space.
Contemplation, whether through spiritual reflection or self-inquiry, helps us connect with our core values and beliefs. It reminds us that true happiness is an inside job.
One of the fastest ways to feel better is to do something kind for someone else. Whether it’s holding a door, paying a compliment, or volunteering, acts of kindness activate the brain’s reward system.
Giving connects us. It creates positive feedback loops — where both the giver and the receiver benefit. Even witnessing an act of kindness can boost our mood and restore faith in humanity.
Kindness also brings meaning. When we help others, we remind ourselves that we have the power to make the world a little better.
Ideas for everyday kindness:
Write a thank-you note to someone who’s helped you.
Leave an uplifting message for a stranger.
Offer your seat or help to someone in need.
Donate your time, not just your money.
Research shows that consistent givers — even in small ways — are generally happier, healthier, and more fulfilled than those who focus solely on themselves.
Happiness is fleeting when it’s based on surface-level pleasures. Lasting joy comes from living a life aligned with purpose.
That doesn’t mean we all need to change the world or start a nonprofit. Meaning can come from raising a family, creating art, mentoring others, or building something worthwhile. It’s not about what you do, but how much you feel it matters.
When we live according to our values, when our actions reflect our beliefs, life feels richer and more coherent. Even hardships gain context and resilience strengthens.
To explore your sense of purpose:
Ask yourself: What would I do if money weren’t the issue?
Reflect on moments you felt truly alive or deeply moved.
Volunteer, teach, or share your gifts — even informally.
Revisit your values. Are your choices aligned with them?
Happiness isn’t just about feeling good — it’s about being whole.
When we strip away the noise of advertising, achievement, and acquisition, what remains?
The quiet of the woods.
The warmth of friendship.
The peace of a mindful moment.
The lightness of helping someone in need.
The joy of waking up with a reason to try again.
Happiness is not a constant state. It ebbs and flows like the tides. But we can set up our lives to welcome it more often — by choosing nature over noise, gratitude over grasping, connection over comparison, and meaning over materialism.
In the end, happiness is not something we find.
It’s something we create.
One breath, one choice, one act of love at a time.
In the end, happiness isn't something we chase — it's something we create through intentional choices, meaningful relationships, and quiet moments of gratitude. It lives in the stillness of nature, the warmth of human connection, and the courage to live with purpose.
Life will always bring its share of ups and downs, but joy flows in the spaces between when we pay attention. Remember: happiness is not found in perfection, but in presence. What truly matters is how we show up each day — with heart, hope, and a willingness to embrace the beauty in the ordinary.
So go ahead — step outside, breathe deeply, reach out, give generously, and reflect honestly. Your happiest life may already be within reach.
Thank you for being part of the West Egg Living community. If this message resonates with you, share it with someone who needs a nudge toward clarity, energy, and wellness.
Stay strong. Stay mindful. And remember:
👉 Better choices,
👉 Better health,
👉 Better life.
The West Egg Wellness 50+ Team
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Thank you for joining us for this edition of Wellness Wisdom! We hope you found inspiration, encouragement, and a few practical takeaways to support your wellness journey. Remember, lasting health isn’t about perfection — it’s about small, consistent steps.
We’re honored to walk alongside you as you create a stronger, more vibrant life after 50. Stay tuned for next week’s issue packed with more tips, insights, and motivation. Until then, be kind to yourself and keep moving forward — you’ve got this!
The content provided by West Egg Wellness 50 Plus is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any new health, fitness, or nutrition program. Individual results may vary. West Egg Wellness 50 Plus makes no guarantees regarding specific outcomes.
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I love the video on this one.
I will try dinking water every hourr like I am trying to go 250 steps each hour.. Encouraging idea.
This is great information. I love the new layout. I cannot wait for the next edition!!!
Thanks Riaan.
Great article!