Preventative Health Practices for Women in Their 40s
Women often experience a variety of health changes once they reach their 40s. You experience hair loss due to hormonal changes, and your memory is also not the same. One reason for the changes in memory is the reduction of estrogen in two key areas of the brain; the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. The hippocampus is the memory area of the brain while the prefrontal cortex helps you process information in a way you will best understand. You can keep your memory sharp by doing puzzles, developing interesting hobbies, and taking supplements that help your memory. Here are other preventative health strategies for women over age 40.
Get Screened
Now is the best time to get those important health screenings to prevent potentially deadly illnesses such as heart disease, breast cancer, chronic kidney failure, diabetes, and ovarian cancer. Once you turn 40, you want to get screened for breast cancer once a year and you should talk with your doctor about getting a Pap smear to detect any signs of cervical cancer. Other important screenings include blood pressure testing, diabetes screening, cholesterol screening, and regular eye exams to prevent glaucoma or cataracts.
Don’t Neglect Your Skin
As you enter your 40s, you’ll notice visible signs of gradual aging on your skin. The collagen production slows down, and you’ll need to use products that will help you keep your skin healthy in the years to come. It’s also important that you exfoliate your skin regularly so that you can remove dead skin cells for a better-looking face. Boost your water intake since hydration is great for your skin. Use facial cleansers and moisturizers that contain antioxidants and important vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin E.
Exercise and Eat Healthier
You were able to get away with eating a lot of unhealthy foods in your 20s, but now that your metabolism rates are slowing down as you enter your 40s, it is essential that you exercise and change your dietary habits. Ditch fast foods and cook healthy meals at home that contain fruits, vegetables, fish, and lean meats. Drink fewer sodas as these are high in sugar and lead to dehydration. Take supplements to boost your overall health. Watch your portions during mealtimes.
Work on Your Mental Health
Stress plays a major role in your physical health, and you want to focus more on doing well mentally and emotionally. If necessary, seek out counseling from a therapist. Discuss what the root causes of your stress are, and develop a feasible strategy to reduce unnecessary stress that might take a toll on your body. Eliminate relationships that suck the energy out of you and replace them with more meaningful ones. Meditate or write in a journal.
Take Care of Your Sexual Health
Your sex life goes through changes in your 40s. Due to hormonal changes, you might experience vaginal dryness or even a lower libido. Talk to your doctor about medications or products to make sex more manageable and exciting. Consider trying new techniques and forms of foreplay with your partner. Sex just might be even better as you get older for several reasons. Your maturity and confidence levels are stronger, and life is also not as chaotic as it was when you were first married and in the early stages of motherhood. Your body’s testosterone levels haven’t decreased and this can improve your sex drive.
In conclusion, when you become proactive about your health while in your 40s, you’re more likely to enjoy your 50s and beyond with confidence and anticipation. If you’re interested in receiving preventative care as you enter your 40s, contact us. Our services are designed to assist you in achieving wellness and peace of mind through the best practices for your health needs.