Health Mistakes Women Make After 40
By Sara Butler
Forty may be the new 30 but that doesn't mean you can treat your body as you did 10 years ago once you hit the big 4-0. While you shouldn't fear growing older, you should pay attention to a few things in order to help your body stay healthy once you hit this new decade of life. Here are a few of the worst health mistakes commonly made by women over 40.
You Don't Exercise
Physical activity does more than simply tone muscles, it's also important to maintaining bone density and helping to increase metabolism. It also helps to promote healthy posture, reduce the risk of injury, and also help you to feel better emotionally.
All women over 40 should work out at least a little. That means 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week that includes exercises such as cardio, balance, flexibility, and strength training.
Eating Like You're Still 30 (Or 20)
Maybe when you were 21 you could polish off your fair share of Taco Bell in the wee hours of the morning, but those days are gone. As you get older, your resting metabolic rate decreases, which means that even if you were able to eat what you wanted and not gain weight when you were young, those days are over.
Pay attention to your portion sizes when you eat and make sure to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and complex carbohydrates. Make sure to limit refined carbohydrates and have treats occasionally, not every day.
Ignoring Brain Health
You may care for your body, but don't forget your brain. As you get older, your brain shrinks in volume, which is why it can be more difficult to remember things as you age. You can also experience slower processing due to the fact that the material that protects your nerves also tends to shrink as you get older.
Regular exercise can help keep your body and brain healthy. In fact, some exercises such as dancing can be great for your mind. It's also important to keep your mind stimulated with things such as puzzles or sudoku.
Ignoring Pain
Many people try to ignore pain, especially as they get older. But if you refuse to acknowledge pain after the age of 40, then you risk permanent damage to your body. If you feel pain, then make sure you go to the chiropractor.
Your body changes throughout your life. You simply need to understand those changes so you can provide your body what it needs to stay healthy.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Houston, Tex.