Lifestyle Changes You Should Make When You Hit 40

If you have just hit 40, you might be thinking that it is the end of the word. If, however, you talk to some people who have passed this stage in their lives, they might tell you that life is just about to start. You have the experience to make better and more responsible decisions in your life, and you will have to start looking after Number One, so you can look after your kids and family members better. Below you will find a couple of suggestions on how to improve your lifestyle over 40.

Improve Your Diet

Once you hit 40, you can no longer get away with ready meals and takeaways multiple times a week. Even if you are cooking for your kids at home, you might be opting for an unhealthy snack or convenience food while you are working. Make small changes that stick, one at a time; swap your chocolate bars to protein slices and your candy to unsweetened mango or banana chips. You are what you eat, so you should start treating your body with more respect so it can serve you better at old age.

Aid Your Metabolism

People’s metabolism slows down after they hit 40, and this is bad news for many women out there. You will have to watch what you eat, and will notice that you might develop digestive issues if you don’t watch what you are consuming. It is a good idea to have a detox cleanse course once every few months, so you are getting rid of the toxins and old stuff that is built up in your body and help your system turn the nutrition into energy, instead of storing it at all the wrong places.

Joint Support

Unfortunately, women over 40 are more likely to develop joint problems, especially those with sedentary lifestyles. If you would like to improve your joint health, your first job is to improve your exercise routine, but you can also find plenty of natural supplements for joint problems that will work, such as cod liver oil or various vitamins. You might also want to include more seafood in your diet, as Omega 3 can help you maintain strong and healthy joints and reduce inflammation.

Try Yoga or Tai Chi

Image via bruce mars

 

While you might not become the weight lifter of the year at 40, there are some gentle but challenging exercises you can take on. Two of them are yoga and Tai Chi. You will be able to quickly improve your metabolism and circulation, aid the body’s natural detox process, and feel better about yourself at the same time.

Getting More Fresh Air

Busy professionals and moms find it hard to get enough fresh air and Vitamin D. The good news is that you can combine the useful with the healthy here. Get on your bike whenever you have to visit the shop around the corner to pick up some grocery. Create a small vegetable patch with the kids at home you can look after together, and spend some time outdoors.

Reducing Your Working Hours Or Increasing Relaxation Time

Some people say that people over 40 should not work long hours. If you have reached a certain level in your career, you might want to ask for flexible working. In case you run your own business, it might be time to outsource some of the tasks and spend more time doing things you enjoy. If you can improve your productivity, you can reduce your workday by up to one hour each day, so you have time to learn new skills or socialize.

Monitoring and Addressing the Health Impacts of Aging

It is also important to have regular health check ups. Apart from the obvious smear test and breast cancer assessments, you will also have to monitor your blood pressure and metabolic syndromes, which are very common among women aged 40 and over. If you notice changes such as your glasses or hearing aid not working as well as when you got them, you might have to book an appointment with a specialist and research the latest vision improvement and hearing technology to make the most out of your life every day.

You have to pay more attention to your lifestyle choices over 40, but this doesn’t mean that you should stop enjoying life. Change your diet to deal with a slower metabolism, take on new sports to protect your muscles and joints, and monitor your health regularly, so you can make the most out of the free time you spend with your kids.