Your 50s are a time of changes, transitions and new joys. You may welcome grandchildren and consider retirement in your 50s, or reach a new stage in your career. As parents and other family members age, you may find yourself in the caretaker role once again. Taking care of you should remain an important priority.

Mind

• Celebrate your new skills. As you age, some mental functions such as short-term memory diminish; others, such as judgment and discretion, increase. Researchers believe that our brains actually help us accommodate these subtle changes; we also change our behaviors. Make lists to help you remember small tasks, and don't be hard on yourself when you misplace your keys!
• Bring on the brain food. Blueberries are rich in a natural plant compound called anthocyanin, which acts as an  antioxidant  and anti-inflammatory. A study by Tufts University showed that this compound reverses declines in balance and coordination, and even may improve short-term memory and spatial learning.

Body

• Tuck it in. As you go through menopause your sleep patterns may change. The National Sleep Foundation says that up to 61 percent of women experience difficulty sleeping after menopause. The NSF recommends avoiding nicotine, caffeine and alcohol, especially before bedtime. You can also create good sleep hygiene by developing rituals for sleep preparation.
• Get started on exercise. If you have the opportunity as children are leaving home and priorities are changing, your 50s can be an excellent time to engage in an exercise program. Find a personal trainer or instructor at a local gym who can help you design a program that includes all three types of exercise—cardio, flexibility and strength training.
• Strong-arm yourself. Strength training in particular is essential to maintaining bone density, which may drop up to 20% in the first five to seven years after menopause. Toning your muscles with weight-bearing exercises also helps prevent the loss of muscle mass, increases your metabolism and helps keep extra pounds off.

Spirit

• Take stock of little stresses. Peri- and postmenopausal women experience incredible changes in their hormones—and their moods. It's not unusual to have strong emotional reactions to everyday celebrations and losses. A healthy diet and appropriate exercise can help. But also pay attention to your smaller stressors. Sit down and take an inventory of where stress is introduced into your life. For example, if drive-time traffic frustrates you, consider forming a carpool or taking public transportation to work.
• Learn the gentle art of relaxation. Relaxation is more than being quiet, but an active pursuit of calming your body and mind. Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and mental imagery can help teach you to slow down.