The natural cycle of human life is quite mesmerizing, and fleeting. While the search for the ‘youth fountain’ stays constant, aging continues to be an unavoidable fact. No matter the message women hear from the world, the truth is growing old is a privilege.
Once you hit your 40s, the youthful glow on your face will have turned into the beauty of wisdom that this phase brings. Equally true is that health generally tends to decline around this time. National Geographic shares that this decade is the crucial time to take stock of one’s cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, and so on.
While a significant number of women in their 40s do suffer from health conditions, it needn’t be that way. In this article, we will discuss four things every woman should do in her 40s to stay healthy.
Have you ever skipped breakfast? In the morning rush, particularly during work days, breakfast is the first thing we tend to sacrifice just to buy some more time.
However, you may have heard the famous adage that advises us to eat breakfast like a king and dinner like a pauper. You’d be surprised to know that our country has people who not only consider breakfast important but they look forward to it.
These Americans love breakfast so much that they don't mind having morning meals for dinner too. It's time to delight in your first meal of the day and call it beloved.
Keep in mind that as we age, our metabolism becomes slower with each year. A hearty and healthy breakfast will rev up your metabolism, allowing you to burn calories throughout the day.
It's said for a reason that an empty stomach makes it difficult to concentrate. A good breakfast each morning will increase your productivity and keep distractions away. Plus, it’s good for weight loss too since you’ll have plenty of time later to burn the calories you had.
Hormone-related issues can occur in men and women, but women’s bodies are said to be more hormonally sensitive.
In both genders, hormone production reduces with age. Women’s ovaries do not produce as much estrogen and progesterone, especially once menopause sets in.
The World Health Organization states that most women experience menopause between 45 and 55 years of age. It is a natural part of aging but the hormonal imbalance can lead to serious issues like bone density loss (osteoporosis), mood disorders, and heart disease.
While it's clear that maintaining hormonal balance is still crucial after 40, the question is how. One way is to eat a balanced and nutrient-rich diet.
Consume healthy fats, lean proteins, and fiber-rich foods. In many cases, safe medication through hormone replacement therapy may be required to make up for the lack of female hormones. It will not only help individuals but may collectively improve the health of a city’s female population.
For instance, Rockwall in Texas is a city where the men's and women’s population is nearly equal. However, the median age of women is 41.3 years, compared to 39.9 years for men. That means the city has more aging females than males. Hormone replacement therapy in Rockwall can help improve overall health, particularly when an imbalance is the cause of health decline.
Indeed, an individualized approach is still needed because one’s medical history matters. On average, health stats will improve. To be more precise, EVEXIAS Medical Centers lists the benefits as follows -
The third thing is to manage stress effectively. It can mess with your hormones by raising the cortisol levels.
Regular health checkups are advised for women of all ages. However, those who are 40 or above must not overlook this step at any cost. A routine full-body checkup will allow healthcare professionals to recognize any early signs of disease.
They can suggest treatment methods that will effectively reverse the condition. At the least, it won't get worse over time. Once a woman is in her 40s, her body becomes vulnerable to chronic health conditions that can significantly impact her quality of life.
Given the fact that the world in general is polluted, even those following a healthy lifestyle may develop health issues. Regular screenings will detect any problems on time, so effective measures can be taken.
The good news is you do not need to shoot in the dark with this. WebMD has released a complete health checklist for women over 40. You can print it out and carry it along for your next doctor’s appointment. Discuss with your healthcare provider and have the necessary tests done for peace of mind.
The results will also let you know any possible risks. Accordingly, you can make dietary and lifestyle changes to keep any serious problems at bay.
Exercise is good for women of all ages, but it must be done differently than men. This only becomes more crucial to understand with age because women are women, not smaller versions of men. Medical experts believe that strength training can benefit women of all ages, particularly by keeping dementia at arm’s length.
Besides that, there are many ways regular exercise can improve a woman’s quality of life. These include weight management, healthy bone density, better mental health, and reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Essentially, you may be able to slow down the process of aging itself. Now, don’t jump headlong into any exercise you find on the internet. Consult with your healthcare provider to ensure the exercises align with your current health needs.
Even once you start, progress gradually in terms of intensity and workout duration or you risk injuring yourself. Incorporate a mix of different exercises, say, cardio, pilates, and so on. Learn the proper way to do each from a certified fitness instructor. Finally, pay attention to your body’s cues and take a break as and when needed.
Living willy-nilly is not recommended even to the younger demographics. However, getting to see riper years is a blessing that should not be taken for granted.
Be in tune with your body and mind’s needs. Live to your fullest but within the boundaries of a disciplined routine and diet. You will feel empowered to age gracefully, being filled with more of life with each passing year.
