As you get older, what you need to do to stay healthy changes. Your body needs different things, which means that you often need to alter your lifestyle in various ways. Your gender makes a difference, too, as aging can affect men and women in different ways. If you’re a woman who is getting into your 40s, 50s or beyond, there are some steps that you might want to take to help yourself stay healthy. By taking care of yourself, you can maintain your health as you become “middle-aged” and age with grace. There are lots of things that you can do to care for your health as you get older.
Get Health Screenings
Everyone should have specific health screenings as they get older, and a variety of health conditions become more likely. Some health screenings are important for all, such as screenings for colon cancer or your sight or hearing. However, there are also some tests and screenings that are specific to women that you should keep in mind. Breast cancer becomes more likely as you get older, for example. You should speak to your primary physician about what types of tests and screenings you should be getting as you get older. They can help you to ensure you stay on top of anything that needs to be checked.
Make It Through Menopause
Menopause will usually arrive in your 40s or 50s. Your body will start to change as your ovaries will stop releasing eggs, and you will no longer have your menstrual cycle. While not having to deal with periods might sound good, getting there can be a tough process. Before menopause, you might also experience perimenopause symptoms. Menopause is natural and to be expected, but that doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. You can speak to your doctor about perimenopause treatment and treatment for menopause. Hormone replacement therapy can help you to manage the changing hormones in your body. Managing the physical and emotional symptoms will help you to get through menopause in a healthy way.
Keep Up a Healthy Diet
It’s always necessary to have a healthy diet, but what you need to eat may change as you get older. A balanced diet is a must, and there are some things that you can do to make extra sure you stay healthy as an older woman. Check that you have plenty of vitamin D and calcium in your diet to help keep your bones strong. Women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis, so it’s especially important to protect your bones. You can take supplements to top up what you don’t get from your diet if you need to. B12 is another supplement that can be good to add to your diet. After menopause, you don’t need much iron, so check that you’re not getting too much from multivitamins.
Remain Active
Another way to keep your bones strong is to remain active as you age. An active lifestyle will help to keep you healthy in a number of ways. Regular exercise helps to keep your metabolism healthy to prevent you from putting weight on when you get older. As well as strengthening your bones, it can also help with balance, flexibility and other types of fitness, such as cardiovascular health. Being physically healthy and active can reduce your risks of falls as you get older and help to prevent injuries.
No one has exemplified how a change in diet and exercise can help you more than Joan MacDonald, a woman in her 70’s who took control of her health and life. Check out her transformation! Many have done this. Check out her Instagram for more amazing photos of her journey! Want more? Check out John Rose’s Youtube, another “older” person who is healthier than many 20 year olds!
Manage Health Conditions
Various health conditions can become more of a risk as you enter your later years. If you are diagnosed with any chronic health conditions, it’s important that you are able to manage them properly. This might include taking medication or other types of treatment, as well as monitoring your health carefully. Be sure to get regular checks for things like your blood pressure and blood sugar to pick up any signs of illness.
Look After Your Mood
It’s not just your physical health that matters for women as they get older. Your emotional and mental health is also important. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your mood, especially as depression and anxiety are common for older people. A lot of change as you age can take its toll on you, especially as you might start to experience things like retirement, your children leaving home and other big changes. Staying connected to other people can help you to maintain contentment and happiness as you get older.
Being “middle-aged” doesn’t have to be the end of the world for women. In fact, many say that they feel at their best and most confident.
