By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

If you missed part one, be sure to go back and read it!

Mid-century America was an interesting period in history. Though we speak of the 1950s as a time of prosperity, the decade actually began with food shortages as both the nation and the world moved forward from World War II. Many men returned from the service and used the GI Bill to buy single-family homes in the suburbs. They also pushed women out of the jobs they worked during the war, forcing them back into domestic spheres and creating a spirit of female unrest. Convenience foods, including frozen meals, became popular; yet at the same time, Americans faced war in Korea and nuclear tension with Russia.

Fast forward to 2025. We’ve largely romanticized the 1950s. We picture mothers vacuuming in heels and pearls, smartly dressed men drinking cocktails and smoking cigars at the office, and children who rebel against their parents by listening to rock and roll. It’s not completely accurate. A dark underbelly existed, as such things have existed in every decade. Putting the social issues aside, though, we can still look to the housewives of that era for knowledge and guidance.

Taking care of our physical bodies and offering hospitality to others are good things! They’re also Biblical. We are commanded to entertain strangers (Hebrews 13:2). We are expected to treat our bodies as temples for the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). 1950s housewives excelled at these principles. So let’s review some of the lessons they can teach us.

Build Healthy Habits

The internet is full of health and wellness influencers. Some promote good choices and ideas on how to take care of yourself. Others, not so much. People we should listen to are, of course, our primary care physicians, and a bunch of mid-century housewives. Yes, I said it. Listen to your grandmothers and great-grandmothers. They know what they’re talking about.

Here are some habits you can build when you’re young that will follow you for the rest of your life:

1. Wash your face and apply moisturizer daily. Skin is the largest organ in the human body and it’s easy to take it for granted. Washing your face removes impurities and dead skin cells, while moisturizer keeps your skin hydrated. If you wear makeup, be sure to remove all of it before you go to bed at night.
2. Make time to exercise. Even if it’s only fifteen minutes a day, schedule time for some sort of physical activity. Walk around the block, dance to your favorite song, follow a yoga routine online, whatever you prefer just DO IT.
3. Eat balanced meals. The typical 1950s housewife breakfast included grains, proteins, and fruit. Dinners usually consisted of vegetables, proteins, and starches. You want to be intentional about what’s on your plate. This is where meal planning comes in. Take time at the start of each week to plan your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. This can also help ensure you eat foods before they go bad, reducing food waste. You can be intentional about what you eat at the university cafeteria, too, selecting options that fall into the protein, produce, and starch categories.
4. Take time to rest. Television became a cultural juggernaut in the 1950s. A lot of families watched TV every night. Sitcoms and variety shows dominated the airwaves. We live in an era where the market is flooded with options for every taste. So I’m giving you permission to watch TV. Or read a book. Or play a video game. For a little while every day. Remember, God rested on the seventh day. You should rest as well.

Everyone Can Practice Hospitality

The 1950s didn’t invent the dinner party, but it did define it. The way we do dinner parties today is largely modeled on that modern version of cocktails and appetizers. Housewives of the 1950s hosted and attended many parties and social events because homemaking had become an isolated endeavor. College can be isolating, too. Even when you’re surrounded by thousands of other people, you can still feel lonely. So let’s explore some ideas about how you can extend hospitality to others and minimize your loneliness as well as theirs.

1. Keep the door open. You are entitled to privacy, and if you’re sleeping or studying of course you’ll want to protect that time and space, but other than that, if you are in your door room, I encourage you to have an open-door policy. It’s a great way to meet your neighbors as they walk down the hall.
2. Have sweets ready and offer guests a beverage. I kept a candy bowl on my coffee table in college and positioned it so you could see it from the hallway. Loads of people stopped by to grab a piece of chocolate. I also kept a water pitcher in my fridge, and the coffee pot was always ready. When guests stop by, you want to offer them a little something to help them feel welcome. Some sort of sweet, such as candy or prepackaged cookies, plus a drink like water, coffee, or tea, goes a long way.
3. Mail a card. Not a text. Not an email. Buy a physical card, sign it, put a stamp on it, and stick in the mail. Don’t you get excited when you receive a birthday card? Your loved ones will appreciate it, too. You also want to mail sympathy cards, get well cards, and holiday cards. If you don’t know what to write in a card, that’s okay. You don’t have to scrawl an essay in it. Signing it is often good enough.
4. Don’t arrive empty-handed. When you are invited to someone’s home, you should think ahead to bring a gift. Often called a “hostess gift,” these are applicable regardless of gender. It’s a kind gesture to say thanks for having you over. Remember, the host has likely spent hours cooking and cleaning and now they’re on hosting duty. A candle, bottle of wine, or a bouquet of flowers are easy ways to acknowledge the host’s hard work.

Celebrating Mid-Century Women

Don’t discount the 1950s housewife. She did a lot. She went through a lot. Don’t let her sacrifices be in vain. Beyond the stereotypical cooking and cleaning, the 1950s housewife knew how to budget, knew how to mend and make do, knew how to support other women, and knew that her value was worth more than the house that confined her.

The women who came before us set some pretty impressive standards. Not to worry-we can absolutely meet that bar! There are many little habits we can establish to promote better health and fitness and to encourage and strengthen our relationships. I hope you will try at least some of these ideas and post in the comments how they work out for you.