Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
There are some things that naturally change as we age. And, for women, aging brings more insecurity than we could have imagined in our days of belly shirts, suntanning, and rock concerts. Saying that we are just being self-conscious is an understatement. From the change in our hair color and texture to lines appearing on the face and body, we can look and feel much different than our younger versions. However, more importantly, let’s try to understand that these things are happening to us all. We are not alone in the battle to stay young. Here are some specific changes that can sneak up on us as we age and feel like an alien attack.
Hormones
First off, our hormones will go through a rough place beginning sometime in our forties. Yes, living through perimenopause and menopause is no joke. There have been times I thought I was dying or wanted to, due to symptoms from wildly fluctuating hormone levels. I’m actually still trying to get them balanced.
Some of these monsters…oh, I mean symptoms include: hot flashes (as in you live in hell every 10 minutes), insomnia (you envy the sleeping princess), dry everything (there isn’t enough moisture in any moisturizer, conditioner or personal lube), hair loss (is my bald spot showing?), anxiety (I’m dying, don’t touch me, but I don’t want to be alone), headaches (nuff said), low sex drive (don’t even think about touching me), brain fog and forgetfulness (what’s my daughter’s name again?), everything and everyone annoys you (you would be arrested if you actually did some of the things you thought about doing).
Hearing and Eyesight
As we age, we normally experience changes in our hearing and eyesight. Though these changes are normal, it’s still a good idea to get a hearing test and an eye exam. You want to know where you are as a baseline, so you and your healthcare team can immediately tell if any severe changes occur in the future. Not to mention, in most cases, these “changes” can be corrected with glasses, contacts, hearing aids or other modern methods.
Reduced Stamina and Energy
Getting older can really suck when the energy starts to plummet. Even the simplest of tasks can feel like trying to run a marathon. I’m only in my fifties and feel like staying in bed all day to binge on Netflix instead of doing my daily chores or outings at times. This change in energy level and physical stamina doesn’t mean we are three steps from the grave, but it does mean the body is taxed and may not be getting what it needs.
Consider your diet, lifestyle, and the amount of exercise you get daily. Eating poor quality food, excessive toxins, and a sedentary lifestyle can all contribute to a lower energy level. Of course, there will be wear and tear on our bodies, and we will feel it, but we don’t have to succumb to the unnecessary decline of our health and ability to enjoy life. That said, do consult your doctor if you are doing everything you can to be healthy and still feel horrible or have no energy.
Weight and Body Shape
If you are trying to obtain the body you had in tenth grade, you may be setting yourself up for a huge disappointment. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen some amazing hard bodies displayed by people well into their forties, fifties, and even older. However, I guarantee it wasn’t as easy to get there. The truth is we lose muscle mass every year we live beyond age thirty. For this reason, it can be difficult, at best, to keep the toned look you once had. Additionally, our bodies change shape as we age. This happens as skin loosens, hormones shift, and muscles weaken.
If you add a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits on top of muscle mass loss, it’s no wonder that obesity and weight-related illnesses are out of control in our modern world. Nevertheless, there is something to be done about this one. Change. Yes, change your lifestyle, and do it before it’s too late!!!!
Now that we’ve highlighted a few things that change as we age, understand that ignoring your body, health, and anything that makes you uncomfortable isn’t going to serve you. In many cases, there are remedies, actions, and treatments that can help you to build health and preserve your youthful look and energy. Don’t give up on your body and state of mind just because you can’t be 25 anymore. There is a whole new season of life to be lived and adventures to be had!
**** This post is strictly informational and is not meant to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Women’s lifelink, it’s owners, administrators, contributors, affiliates, vendors, authors and editors do not claim that this information will diagnose, treat, or improve any condition or disease.
