Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
Obviously, there are some inevitable changes your body will go through as you age. That said, you can still help your overall health and fitness by taking action today. In other words, don’t wait until you’re well into your senior years to start paying attention to a changing mind and body. Honestly, staying active and using wisdom where your health is concerned is something that is best done from early adulthood. But, don’t worry if you’ve not done much to support your health. You can always start now! Of course, always consult your physician before changing any health practices like fitness, diet, and supplementation. Here are some musts for your over-forty health plan.
Over-Forty Health Plan #1: Fitness Routine that is Easy on the Joints
As an aging woman, your risk for joint issues and bone problems increases, due to the hormonal changes in your body. Look for an exercise plan that doesn’t put excessive pressure on your joints. You may have already noticed some aching in your knees, ankles, and back from your current fitness routine. I recommend listening to your body and making the appropriate changes. Low impact fitness methods like yoga, Tai Chi, Swimming, Pilates, and walking are all prime options to get efficient results without risking joint damage.
Over-Forty Health Plan #2: Take Care of Your Skin
Most women want to avoid the signs of aging and are willing to go to great lengths to do so. If your budget is high, you can choose pricey skin therapies or even plastic surgery to improve your looks. Though there are many options to fit all budgets these days, one of the most important things any of us can do for our skin is to take care of it. That means using the best skin care products you can afford every day. It is also imperative to be aware of unusual skin changes. This includes looking out for strange moles, lumps, excessive dryness, eczema, or skin discoloration. If something changes and doesn’t seem to resolve on its own, do consult your doctor.
Over-Forty Health Plan #3: Eat Well
I hope that you haven’t waited until you’re over 40 to start eating a healthful diet. But if you have, know that you might have some catching up to do. In other words, you may go through a period of cleaning out your systems that could get a little uncomfortable. The body keeps a regular detox schedule, however, when you change your diet suddenly, things get a little more intense. I recommend making changes slowly if you want to avoid the healing crisis stage.
Over-Forty Health Plan #4: Take Care of Your Teeth and Gums
Oral health is something you don’t want to ignore as you get older. Teeth and gums age with the rest of the body and can be more susceptible to damage/infections, decay, and breakage. Regular oral hygiene and checkups become more important to maintain good health. Additionally, your dentist does also screen for any changes in the mouth that might indicate something serious like cancer.
Over-Forty Health Plan #5: Balance Your Hormones
As we approach perimenopause and menopause, our hormones shift and can wreak havoc on body systems. Trust me, I know first hand how this natural process affects every aspect of your life and wellness. In fact, your hormonal health is related to your nervous system, brain function, and even mental state. In addition to that, symptoms like hot flashes, abnormal periods, insomnia, weight gain, and irritability all play a role in how you feel and perform in general.
I recommend consulting your physician or a hormone specialist about hormone testing to see where you are. Declining hormone levels can be balanced with supplementation and bio-identical hormone replacement.
Over-Forty Health Plan #6: Take Care of Your Vision
Regular optical exams along with regular eye care will help you to keep good vision longer as you age. This means doing what your optometrist says and paying attention to any eye changes. Additionally, don’t strain your eyes by overusing them. This includes activities like computer and phone use, gaming, TV viewing, reading, and anything that requires visual focus for a long period of time. Take regular rest breaks if you have any instances like these.
Over-Forty Health Plan #7: Take Care of Your Ears
Just as with any important part of your body, the ears need regular care and testing. As we age, we can lose hearing and may not even be aware of it. Hearing loss can happen gradually or it can happen all at once. It’s important to take care of your ears before you get symptoms, so you and your doctor know about any problems early on. Tell your doctor if anything has changed since your last checkup.
Should you already require hearing assistance, you know how fast things can change. If so, you also know how important it is to keep up maintenance on your equipment. DIY hearing aid repair may help you to do so without the high price tag.
**** 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.
