Written by: Cassandra Wiley, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
When people turn 40, many see it as a negative turning point. Your vision worsens; you find that you are taking your glasses off to see better up close. Your hormones fluctuate, your metabolism slows down, and you may see gray hairs starting to come in.
So how can you stay healthy after 40? Here are some tips:
1. Get moving. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. With spring arriving soon, you can get out and walk. You can also work out at your local gym or home. There are many workout apps and programs available online. Your heart will love you for it.
2. Find a hobby. Life should not be totally about working. Engage in activities that you enjoy. Painting on a canvas relaxes me as well as reading great books. If you are always working, when is there time to enjoy life?
3. Enjoy nature. Nature has much beauty and scents to offer with each season. I am more at peace when I am out walking on the trails enjoying these offerings. We see new life in the spring. People are happier in general as the weather gets warmer and we have more daylight.
4. Detox. Our bodies talk to us daily. We want to attribute many discomforts to age; however, a simple detox may help. For instance, treat flatulence with a colon cleanse or a gradual increase of fiber in the diet. You can purchase a colon cleanser online, at a health food store, or make your own. (Blend cucumber, lemon, grapefruit, mint, ginger, garlic, water, chia seeds, and psyllium husk). Do for a maximum of 10 days and drink plenty of water.
5. Intimacy. Intimacy is important in a committed relationship. Not only is it physical, but the mental aspect is the cherry on top. If your heart and soul are not in it, it is just an act.
6. Healthy diet. As mentioned, drinking plenty of water and fiber in the diet is essential. I also prefer to cook food as opposed to eating out. For one, I know the ingredients that I put in. I save money, and it tastes good. Processed foods contain a lot of sodium, sugar, and other chemicals that are hard to pronounce.
7. Work smart, not hard. Do YOUR job; you may not get credit for the extra tasks. In this era, anyone is expendable, even managers.
8. Self-care. Whether you see the glass half-full or half-empty, you are not able to run on an empty tank. Time for self, whether a time of reflection or relaxation, to recharge will replenish your tank.
9. Ask for help. Many of us are hesitant to ask for help. We want to do it all by ourselves without help. I have been there; it is added stress. You cherish those moments when you are child-free. When you have assistance with even the simplest tasks, it goes a long way.
10. Healthy relationships. You do not choose your family, but sometimes we may outgrow old friends or even adult friends if our lives go in different directions with various changes. We may find that we may not have anything in common with them. Money, greed, and popularity can also destroy friendships. Money motivates people, sometimes with negative consequences.
Are you over 40 and want to live a healthier life? Consider if health coaching is the right avenue for you. Visit my website here.
Cassandra Wiley, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine
Cassandra Wiley is a health coach and founder of Have Faith and Live Well with Chasadah LLC. She focuses primarily on chronic illnesses such as pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. Her mission is to empower individuals to lose weight and teach a new healthier approach to food so that they can live better lives. She was successful in reversing her pre-diabetes and high cholesterol diagnoses naturally. The weight loss was an added benefit. She has helped clients change their diets and “have faith” in themselves in order to meet their health and wellness goals.