Women In 40s – 15 Tips Every Woman 40+ Needs To Know
Looking for tips for women in 40s? Here are 15 important health tips that every woman over 40 needs to know.
Let chat about women in 40s….I’m sure we never thought we would get there but then one day we are suddenly there…on the doorstep of 40.
The cool thing is our wisdom and compassion often increase exponentially as we grow older, but alas, so do our health challenges.
I was shocked to discover that more than 85% of older adults have at least one chronic condition, and more than 60% have more than one according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Plus, these figures are surprise, surprise even higher for women than for men.
Now I’m not sure what age they consider an “older adult” to be but it does make us realize the importance of staying in good health as we age.
Natural changes like menopause and your family medical history obviously play a part, but a healthy lifestyle can help you stay as strong and independent as possible in the years ahead.
In the meantime, here are some tips to help you maintain your health as you age.
Dealing with Menopause:
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1 – Stay cool.
Oh, the hot flashes are infamous at making menopause something we want to avoid.
Hot flashes can make you uncomfortable and disrupt your sleep.
You can reduce them by limiting triggers like alcohol and caffeine.
Dress in layers and keep a fan next to your bed – that’s a good start.
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2 – Manage stress.
Stress can aggravate hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.
So make the time to meditate daily and think positive.
.
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3 – Lose weight.
Your muscles shrink and your metabolism slows down as you age. Saddest news ever, right?
Well, it definitely feels like it the first time to hear this news.
The distribution of your body fat changes too, so more of those pounds wind up around your waist, increasing your risk for heart conditions and diabetes.
Thankfully you can fight back by eating less and exercising more.
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4 – Eat soy.
Many women find relief from menopause symptoms with soy and supplements, even though studies give conflicting results.
See if tofu and soymilk work for you.
Hopefully it will!
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5 – Talk with your doctor.
Your doctor can tell you whether you’re a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy or other treatments.
Share your concerns and questions if they are on your mind.
Staying Physically Fit:
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6 – Condition your heart.
Another drumroll please…
You’re about 5 times more likely to have heart disease after you turn 40.
Aerobic exercise, along with a diet high in fiber and low in unhealthy fats, can help your heart start stay strong.
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7 – Build your muscles. Slow down muscle loss, and thicken your bones with strength training.
Even though your muscles shrink as you get older, that doesn’t mean you can’t still build them up.
Lift weights or try movements that use your own body weight for resistance, like planks and pushups.
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8 – Increase your balance.
Avoid falls by becoming steadier on your feet.
You can do this by practicing yoga or just stand on one foot while you’re talking on the phone.
Simple but effective!
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9 – Ask a trainer.
Do you already have stiff hips or a sore back?
Some professional trainers specialize in corrective fitness that will target the areas you need to limber up.
It is worth focusing on correcting the areas that are already giving you trouble.
Other Health Tips for Women Over 40:
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10 – Sleep well.
Focusing on getting more quality sleep has been a gamechanger for me.
You may find it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep these days.
So do your best to stick to a consistent schedule and block out nighttime noises.
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11 – Watch your blood pressure.
Your blood pressure and heart rate rise as plaque deposits stiffen your arteries over the years.
Crappy right?
Losing weight, exercising, and limiting salt may help you to avoid needing medication.
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12 – Screen for cancer.
Thank gosh for screening!
Here’s the thing: age increases your risk for many forms of cancer.
Talk with your doctor about screening tests that spot cancers early when they’re easier to treat and cure.
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13 – Check your hearing.
You may already be noticing signs of age-related hearing loss.
Shield your ears from loud and persistent noises by lowering the volume on media devices and wearing earplugs when necessary.
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14 – Protect your vision.
Make sure your eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions are up to date if you’re having trouble reading fine print.
By the way it’s totally normal for your vision to start to deteriorate a little as you get older.
While no studies have shown a way to prevent cataracts, regular eye exams and managing conditions like diabetes can help.
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15 – Remain engaged.
Staying connected is essential for vibrant aging.
Cultivate close relationships with your family and friends and do your best to learn something new each day.
Remember your brain needs to be stimulated and there’s no reason why you can’t keep learning and growing as you get older.
All in all, staying informed and making healthy lifestyle choices can help you prevent and manage many of the conditions that come with aging.
If you’re a woman over 40 (like I am, join the club!), you can start now to maximize your chances of staying mentally sharp and physically fit in your later years.
Prevention is definitely better than the cure.
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With a degree in psychology, Frances Vidakovic is a certified life coach, course creator and host of the Inspiring Life Podcast. Her superpower is transforming dreamers into doers, with simple, kick-up-the-butt strategies.