We can’t deny it: time passes and our bodies change. At 40s, our health is a combination of genetic factors and lifestyle choices that we made in the past. Some we cannot control, but others we can: what we eat, how much we workout, how we react to situations, and so on.

What makes 40s feel so different? The answer is simple: estrogen.

For a woman in her 40s, estrogen levels fluctuate, changes in menstrual cycles appear, menopause symptoms occur and we might get hot flashes and sleep problems, mood swings, nervousness and depression. Doesn’t sound so fun, right? 🙂

Lets see what we need to know and what can we do to stay young, healthy, relaxed

EAT TO LIVE, NOT LIVE TO EAT

I mean, less. 🙂 As you age, your metabolism slows down. The weight become easier to gain and harder to loose. With age, you need fewer calories per day for all the processes your body needs to do, so  you should consume fewer calories. Since the metabolism slows down in time, the smaller calorie intake can help you loose fat. In fact, what you eat is the key, because you get the best results  by choosing tasty foods, full of nutrients, that your body needs:  fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein sources.  Just a piece of advice: focus on nutrients, don’t skip meals and eat fewer calories per meal, but more often.

EXERCISE

It might be hard to find time to exercise. But even with the shortest workout, you help your body and your metabolism. You will sleep better, you will easier handle stress and you will get stronger and more focused on all other daily activities. Try mixing aerobic exercise and strength training to keep a healthy weight, which will help reducing the risk of chronic conditions. Be creative, try new routines, open your mind to new workout possibilities: swimming, yoga, balance and posture exercises. And don’t forget to vary.

GET STRONG…BONES

Your body composition may change now, thanks to fluctuating hormones. If you don’t pay attention, your body will not get all the  nutrients that help keep bone density and muscle mass. Not getting the best nutrients could lead to osteoporosis, so it’s time to make sure you get enough vitamin D and calcium, every day, ideally through food, but consider also supplements. It’s important to keep an eye on this because you will want to live a healthy, active life and do all activities you like even at older age.

SEX DRIVE OR STRIVE?

After 40, it’s common for the sex drive to decrease a bit, no point in pretending that this doesn’t occur. Stress is a major factor that can contribute to low libido, and, knowing this, paying attention to signs and responding with acceptance and even a bit of  optimism, can play an important role on how your body reacts to sex and sexuality. You can still enjoy intimacy and boost your libido by living healthy and feeling connected to your better half.  And don’t forget: many women in their 40s experience higher confidence and exploration of sexuality. Changing the perspective you look at this might open your mind to new experiences.

 INNER BEAUTY SHINES THROUGH

Some signs of age reflect the joy of a life lived well: wrinkles, dry skin, loosened skin around the neck, etc.  Be happy with them: you lived, you experienced and these experiences got you where you are now. But that doesn’t mean you cannot do anything about it, especially if you are not really comfortable as it is. So, keep your skin smooth and young by drinking plenty of water and eating foods rich in antioxidants. Also, you might want to try cremes and products rich in antioxidants, that will help the skin affected by sun or stress.

The fear of aging is one of the most common fears that people have. But you have to understand and accept that all ages have their pluses and minuses. It is important to know them, be prepared, act based on what you know and enjoy each advantage of each age at maximum. I never thought about my age and what this means for me and I don’t plan to start now. I feel happy, I act childish, I try to live healthy, try to be a good person and, recently, to know more about how my body is changing and what to do to better help him on this journey. And, we all know it, right? It’s never too late to be a kid again! Isn’t it?