Are you over 40? Here are some healthy habits to adopt now… and some that need to be broken!
Reaching your 40’s can be daunting for many and can often be a time of reflection. Reflecting on your 30’s and thinking about moving into your 40’s with new goals for health and fitness. There is no need to feel overwhelmed with moving into this different stage of your life though.
Habits are hard to break and many may be deeply ingrained from a young age. Looking at old habits and realising that some of those habits need to change is a positive step forward in starting your 40’s off in the way you mean to go on.
So, let’s take a look at some habits that may need curbing, or better still, breaking altogether.
Leanne & Fitness Tips Say:
Smoking and Drinking
If you are a smoker now is the time to knock it on the head. There is plenty of information and support out there to help you become a non-smoker once and for all. Enlist the support of family and friends to get you through and set weekly goals to kick the habit!
Cutting back on your drinking is a good idea too and should really be something that is done in moderation throughout your life anyway.
Prioritize Preventative Health
As we age it is important to have regular full physicals with your medical practitioner and to listen to their advice. The risk and rates of chronic disease increase as we age. Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol can all be detected early through routine medical check-ups. Cancer rates also rise as we age, so it is imperative that we have regular screenings after the age of forty.
Sleep
Professionals can’t stress enough how important it is to get enough sleep and we all know how terrible we can feel if we do not get enough zzzzz’s . When we hit forty, we may need to reassess our sleeping habits. As we age the quality of our sleep tends to go down. This is partly due to hormonal changes as well as stress in our lives. Getting the recommended seven to nine hours sleep each night can boost our immune system and reduce stress.
Need help getting better sleep? Read 13 Tips On How To Get A Good Night’s Sleep here.
Weight Train
Picking up the weights and making it a regular habit will help in more ways than one when you enter your forties. Training two to four times a day with weights helps to build muscle and maintain bone
density. Your weight can also be maintained as a lean body with more muscle is metabolically more active and therefore burns calories all day.
Gut Health
Eighty percent of your immunity is held in your gut. Protecting this should be one of your top priorities. Avoid artificial sweeteners and increase foods such as yoghurt, sauerkraut and asparagus.
So, start focussing on a new you as you approach and hit your forties! Break old habits and start some awesome new ones. GOOD LUCK!
xx Leanne
