Month: January 2025

Adventure doesn’t have to mean scaling mountains or diving into the deepest oceans. For women over 50, soft adventures offer the perfect way to stay active, explore new destinations, and connect with nature without pushing physical limits too far. 

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just beginning to expand your horizons, these activities can provide the right balance of challenge and relaxation. 

Let’s explore some popular soft adventure options that are perfect for women over 50.

Hiking – Explore Scenic Trails at Your Own Pace

Hiking is an excellent way to discover the great outdoors while maintaining control over your activity level. From leisurely walks through sprawling meadows to moderate hikes in national parks, there are trails to suit every fitness level.

Why It’s Perfect: Hiking offers flexibility. Depending on your comfort level, you can choose short, flat paths or more challenging terrain. Plus, the health benefits are endless – improved cardiovascular health, better balance, and even stress reduction.

Read 4 Hiking Outfits for Women Over 50.

Top Spots to Try Hiking:

Sedona, Arizona, USA: Famous for its red rock formations and mild weather, Sedona offers trails ranging from easy to moderate.

www.earthtrekkers.com

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada: Experience spectacular alpine landscapes and calm lakes on well-maintained trails.

https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/randonnee-hiking

Acadia National Park, Maine, USA: Coastal views and forested trails provide a diverse hiking experience.

https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/maine/acadia-national-park

Read How I Learned to Hike Solo while Staying Safe on the Trails.

Also, read Exploring the Great Outdoors: 10 Best Hiking Apps.

Kayaking – Glide Through Tranquil Waters

Kayaking is a low-impact activity that combines physical exercise with the chance to enjoy beautiful aquatic environments. Whether you’re paddling through calm lakes or exploring gentle coastal waters, kayaking lets you soak up nature at a leisurely pace.

Why It’s Perfect: This activity strengthens your upper body and core while offering a peaceful way to explore waterways. It’s easy to learn and doesn’t require advanced fitness levels.

Top Spots to Try Kayaking:

Maine’s Coastline, USA: Paddle along rocky shores and explore hidden coves.

https://mainekayak.com/

Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada, USA: Crystal-clear waters surrounded by mountains create an unforgettable experience.

https://clearlytahoe.com/

Read You Are a Born Mover, so Move!

Biking – Pedal Through Beautiful Landscapes

Cycling is another fantastic option for soft adventure. You can enjoy flat bike paths through lovely countryside or find guided tours in cultural destinations.

Why It’s Perfect: Cycling offers a mix of cardio and low-impact exercise while allowing you to cover more ground than hiking. Electric bikes are also an option for those who prefer an extra boost.

Read 6 Best Women’s E-bikes for Over 70s Under $1000.

Top Spots to Try Cycling:

Danube Bike Trail, Europe: This iconic route offers gentle rides along the river through Austria, Germany, and beyond.

https://www.eurobike.at/en/cycle-paths/danube-cycle-path

Cape Cod Rail Trail, Massachusetts, USA: Enjoy coastal scenery and charming towns along this well-maintained path.

https://www.capecodchamber.org/things-to-do/outdoor-and-water-activities/biking/bike-paths

Tuscany, Italy: Explore rolling hills, vineyards, and medieval towns on two wheels.

https://www.visittuscany.com/en/interests/cycling

Read 5 Myths About Group Bike Rides That May Be Holding You Back

Snorkeling – Discover Underwater Wonders

Snorkeling is a gentle yet awe-inspiring activity for those who love the ocean but prefer staying near the surface. Explore coral reefs, swim among colorful fish, and enjoy warm, clear waters.

Why It’s Perfect: Snorkeling requires minimal equipment and training, making it accessible for everyone. It’s also a great way to enjoy marine life without needing scuba certification.

Top Spots to Try Snorkeling:

Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Witness one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders.

​​https://adventurespassport.com/do-you-want-to-snorkel-the-great-barrier-reef-australia-read-this-first/

Hanauma Bay, Hawaii, USA: Known for its calm waters and vibrant marine life.

Belize Barrier Reef: Explore the world’s second-largest reef system in a laid-back setting.

https://www.islandexpeditions.com/belize-vacations-blog/guide-snorkeling-belize-barrier-reef

Read How Swimming Can Be a Great Activity for Women Over 60.

Yoga Retreats – Relax and Rejuvenate in Nature

If you’re looking for an adventure with a focus on mindfulness and relaxation, consider a yoga retreat. Many retreats combine yoga sessions with light activities such as nature walks or paddleboarding.

Why It’s Perfect: Yoga retreats allow you to prioritize self-care while exploring beautiful destinations. You’ll leave feeling refreshed both mentally and physically.

Top Spots to Try a Yoga Retreat:

Bali, Indonesia: A haven for yoga enthusiasts with its lush landscapes and peaceful vibes.

https://www.bookyogaretreats.com/all/d/asia-and-oceania/indonesia/bali

Read Bali for Over 60s – A Journey of Serenity and Adventure.

Sedona, Arizona, USA: Known for its spiritual energy and breathtaking scenery.

https://www.vitapurayoga.com

Tulum, Mexico: Beachfront retreats that combine yoga with wellness programs.

https://www.bookyogaretreats.com/all/d/the-americas-and-caribbean/mexico/tulum

Read 9 Yoga Retreats for Women Over 50.

Paddle Boarding – Find Balance on the Water

Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) offers a unique way to enjoy calm lakes, rivers, or coastal areas while working on your balance and core strength. This activity is versatile and can be adapted for beginners or more experienced adventurers.

Why It’s Perfect: Paddle boarding is gentle on the joints and offers a full-body workout. It’s also meditative, as the rhythmic paddling helps you connect with nature.

Top Spots to Try Paddle Boarding:

Lake Powell, Arizona/Utah, USA: Explore the dramatic canyons and calm waters of this stunning reservoir.

https://lakepowellpaddleboards.com

Florida Keys, Florida, USA: Calm, clear waters make it ideal for paddle boarding beginners.

https://paddlethefloridakeys.com/

Whitsunday Islands, Australia: Paddle around beautiful beaches and coral reefs in this tropical paradise.

https://www.whitsundaystanduppaddle.com.au/

Soft Adventures – Tips for Getting Started

• Start Small: If you’re new to outdoor activities, begin with short excursions and gradually increase the intensity.
• Join a Group: Many organizations offer soft adventure tours tailored to women over 50, providing camaraderie and support.

Read 7 Best Senior Travel Groups.

• Pack Smart: Invest in comfortable gear such as proper footwear, moisture-wicking clothing, and sunscreen.

Read 15 Must-Have Accessories for Adventure Travelers Over 50.

• Listen to Your Body: Always prioritize your health and well-being. Don’t hesitate to take breaks or modify activities as needed.

Soft adventures provide the ideal opportunity to stay active, meet like-minded travelers, and discover the beauty of nature. With so many options to choose from, you’re sure to find activities that match your interests and comfort level. So why not step outside and try something new? 

Read Fitness After 50 Isn’t About the Number on a Scale.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What type of soft adventures do you like to practice? Where are your favorite spots? Want to share your ideas with our Sixty & Me readers? Tell us all about it in the comments section below. 

We have a pretty good idea of where things really stand now.

We have a pretty good idea of where things really stand now.

At the end of January/early February, you may be feeling one of five ways as a divorced woman. Take your pick! 

#1: Hopeful, because the New Year always presents a clean slate and a chance to start over.

#2: Slightly depressed because it’s now back to reality (and reviewing the credit card bills).

#3: EXHAUSTED because once again, you bent over backwards for everybody else and didn’t take any time for yourself

#4: Uncertain because of being divorced and over 50 and having no idea what’s next for you as you struggle to define yourself, get out of your rut, and start this next chapter of your life with ease.

I was definitely all of these things back in 2012. When my divorce was finalized, I was a “free woman” with a textbook successful career but having no clue what to do next. 

I did a lot of stupid things after divorce, and it took me a long time to get unstuck, learn from my silly post-divorce mistakes, and finally reclaim my life, my identity, and my purpose. 

You Don’t Want to Walk in My Steps

But what if you don’t have a lot of time to make all those mistakes? What if you’re over 50, divorced, and need things to happen sooner rather than later? 

What if, instead of another year of being stuck in your own head, still operating on the toxic narratives that have held you back for decades, and still not reclaiming the post-divorce life of your dreams, things could be different? 

I want you to imagine what life after divorce at 50 can actually be like for you. 

Take a minute… RIGHT NOW… to write down the following. Not on your phone or computer but get an actual piece of paper and pen and reflect on the following:

#1: Choose One Thing for Yourself 

If you could accomplish JUST ONE INCREDIBLE THING FOR YOURSELF this year, what would that be? It could be leaving your job, finally taking that incredible trip you’ve been dreaming about, exploring that hobby you stopped once you got married, or hiring someone to keep you accountable. 

#2: Record Your Feeling of Achievement

How will it feel once you accomplish that dream at 50? Get specific here. Is it more carefree, joyful, more confident, having a sense of purpose? Write down all the things! 

#3: How Will Your Life Change?

How will working towards (and accomplishing) that dream change your life for the better, even after 50? How will it have a positive impact on your divorce recovery? Your self-worth? Your confidence? Your sense of purpose during this new chapter of your life?

#4: Action Steps

What would you need to do this year to bring this dream to life? Don’t overthink this or start doubting yourself. Just jot down the first thing that comes to mind. 

#5: How Will You Feel If You Don’t Do Anything?

If you don’t take any action to accomplish #1, how will you feel? Get honest with yourself here. Are you going to feel disappointed? Frustrated? Hopeless? Stuck in the same BS patterns that have been holding you back since your divorce? Don’t hold anything back. 

#6: The Most Important Question

What is the ONE thing you will do in the next month to get one step closer to accomplishing your dream? Write this down on a piece of paper. Then write it in your planner and give yourself a deadline. This small action will ignite those dreams and help keep your momentum. 

When we openly acknowledge and define our dreams – especially as divorced women over 50 – we are giving ourselves a second chance at happiness and fulfillment. 

You deserve to plan for joy in your life, no matter if you’re 50, 60, 70, or 80. 

But it’s also your responsibility to work towards that joy. 

I can’t wait to show you just how incredible your life can be after divorce.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

So, how about you? What is one incredible thing you plan to accomplish this year as a divorcee over 50? And what will you do this month to get closer to accomplishing it? 

At the end of every year, when my “valversary” rolls around, I’m grateful all over again. I had open-heart surgery for a mitral valve repair in December 2014, and the gratitude for good health ever since drives me to “pay it forward.”

Finding Help in Facebook Groups

We all know the vast time suck that is social media, but that generalization doesn’t apply to all of it. People who are experiencing a frightening medical condition can find a lot of information and reassurance on Facebook’s various health support pages. The two pages on Facebook that I try to make time for are “Heart Valve Surgery Support Group” and “Mitral Valve Repair Patients Group.”

People come looking for answers about the chances of valve repair vs. valve replacement. If they know that the replacement will be necessary, they may seek advice for deciding between a tissue valve and a mechanical valve. Those who already have a mechanical valve might ask questions about taking warfarin.

All heart conditions are potentially life-threatening, and some members of these groups share their challenges with congenital birth defects, multiple surgeries, chronic illnesses, comorbities, or debilitating pain. They teach us about perseverance and survival, and they remind us to take our heart issues seriously.

Greeting Someone New

But the most typical pattern of discussion on these pages comes at the beginning of the new member’s journey. Someone needs heart surgery to repair or replace a heart valve, and they land on the page in desperation. They ask: “Has anyone here been as scared as I am?” They fret: “I don’t think I can go through this!”

Our responses come quickly and bring comfort. “All of us here have experienced exactly what you’re experiencing,” we tell them. We cannot guarantee that someone’s surgery will be successful, because not everyone’s story ends happily. But today these procedures are routine, and the majority of patients do very well.

Finding Comfort in the Ordinary Case

That “routine procedure” message is often the opposite of what the person is hoping to hear. Many will say they don’t know anyone who has needed valve surgery, and they can be looking for permission to identify as a victim – different from their friends. Those who believe in God sometimes seek support for the concept of a plan that they just haven’t figured out yet. It’s the plan God has for them individually.

I pray, too, and think of myself as unique. But with my valve repair and also my breast cancer two decades earlier, I was enough of a textbook case that I took comfort in just that aspect. Many conditions baffle the medical community, or the prognosis is simply not good. Ordinary valve issues, though, tend to have good outcomes.

Nothing Special

New patients, feeling alone in suffering from a faulty heart valve, discover on the appointed Facebook pages that there are loads of people who once faced the same crossroads at which they find themselves now. While considered elective surgery, a severely leaking heart valve really presents little choice. The patient can delay it but probably not for long without adjusting life expectancy.

“So go get the surgery,” we tell everyone. “You’re not special, you’re not different, and that is the best news. You’re just your medical team’s Thursday a.m. or whatever, and you should be fine.”

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What is the condition of your heart? Have you had to deal with a valve issue? Where did you seek support? Have you tried looking on Facebook? Would you find comfort that your case is ‘nothing special’ and a ‘routine procedure’ or would that disturb you?