Living Older, Living Better in Your 40s!
In your 40s, you may be finding that juggling family, career, and a mortgage are about all that you have time
for! Or, you may have recently become single and are facing dating again, for the first time in 20 years. You
may be a leader in your career, or may be deciding what you will do now, having raised your children and
becoming an "empty nester". Whichever (or if none) of these fit you as you go through your forties, you should
work towards a plan for aging well and enjoying not only your forties, but many more decades to come!
It's important to focus on three things as you enter your 40s: 1) taking care of your body, 2) finding balance in
your life,and 3) planning for the long term financially, if you haven't already done so.
Make sure you:
Getting in the habit of exercising several times a week is a good thing to start now and stick with regularly. This
will make you look better (and younger) but more importantly, will also prevent loss of function and injury in the
long run. Nothing impacts aging, and facilitates aging well, more than regular exercise.
Work towards balance in your life. Work should be balanced with play, including exercising, gardening, and
traveling. Think about the things you used to enjoy and develop new hobbies and skills by taking a class.
On a practical note: plan now for retirement; especially, financially. Estimate how much money you will need for
retirement. If you don't have life insurance and/or a will, now is a good time to get these things in order.
I often compare the forties to puberty: a person going through puberty notices "scary" changes in their body,
and so does a person who is going through middle age! However, I contrast the two in this way: a teenager is
seeking to discover and define himself or herself in relationship to the family. The person in midlife is defining
himself or herself in the context of the greater world: it's very exciting! Midlife is often associated with seeking
out of newer, or former, activities that give life a feeling of purpose. Use this urge in midlife not because you
are in crisis, but because you are experiencing a chance to rediscover yourself!
For sources of more information, see:
The "Your 40s Health Guide".
An interesting article about midlife changes by Gene Cohen MD, PhD.
Let me know what you think about what's important about being in your 40's, and also your favorite links, by
sending me your comments!
for! Or, you may have recently become single and are facing dating again, for the first time in 20 years. You
may be a leader in your career, or may be deciding what you will do now, having raised your children and
becoming an "empty nester". Whichever (or if none) of these fit you as you go through your forties, you should
work towards a plan for aging well and enjoying not only your forties, but many more decades to come!
It's important to focus on three things as you enter your 40s: 1) taking care of your body, 2) finding balance in
your life,and 3) planning for the long term financially, if you haven't already done so.
Make sure you:
- Get screened regularly for high cholesterol.
- Get a mammogram (if you are a woman) as recommended.
- Get your blood pressure checked at least every year.
- Get screened for heart disease.
- If you are overweight, or have a family history, get screened for high glucose (diabetes). Work to
maintain a healthy weight. - Take care of your skin. Have a regular "mole check". If you don't already wear sunscreen and hats--
start now! This will prevent wrinkles, and even skin cancer later! - Wear sunglasses. Amber or gray shades may be best to protect your lens against cataracts and
macular degeneration later.
Getting in the habit of exercising several times a week is a good thing to start now and stick with regularly. This
will make you look better (and younger) but more importantly, will also prevent loss of function and injury in the
long run. Nothing impacts aging, and facilitates aging well, more than regular exercise.
Work towards balance in your life. Work should be balanced with play, including exercising, gardening, and
traveling. Think about the things you used to enjoy and develop new hobbies and skills by taking a class.
On a practical note: plan now for retirement; especially, financially. Estimate how much money you will need for
retirement. If you don't have life insurance and/or a will, now is a good time to get these things in order.
I often compare the forties to puberty: a person going through puberty notices "scary" changes in their body,
and so does a person who is going through middle age! However, I contrast the two in this way: a teenager is
seeking to discover and define himself or herself in relationship to the family. The person in midlife is defining
himself or herself in the context of the greater world: it's very exciting! Midlife is often associated with seeking
out of newer, or former, activities that give life a feeling of purpose. Use this urge in midlife not because you
are in crisis, but because you are experiencing a chance to rediscover yourself!
For sources of more information, see:
The "Your 40s Health Guide".
An interesting article about midlife changes by Gene Cohen MD, PhD.
Let me know what you think about what's important about being in your 40's, and also your favorite links, by
sending me your comments!
"The time to begin most things is ten years ago." Mignon McLaughlin
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