YOUR 40s
You may start to experience some subtle
mid-life changes such as having trouble
sleeping or maybe you’re strainingto
seesmalltext.HEALTH CHECK ALERT
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART (^) Early heart disease usually has no symptoms and you
may not be aware that you are at risk. So see your doctor reguarly to ensure your heart is healthy
and to assess your risk. Blood test results will identify whether you have high (more than 15 percent);
moderate (10 to 15 percent) or low risk (less than 10 percent) of a heart attack or stroke. The Heart
Foundation strongly recommends having a heart health check if you’re more than 45 years old,
and over 35 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Isanders.
GO FOR IT!
Treating yourself well is the
best way to do damage control
and your 40s is the time to
clean up your act, if you
haven’t already.
Keep moving. As you enter your
40s, your body naturally slows down,
but maintaining mobility is hugely
important to reduce the rate of boneloss
and strengthen the muscles aroundthe
joints. Slipping into a sedentary lifestyle
can lead to stiff joints, which in turn
restricts your movement. Lifting weights
at least twice a week is the answerto
What you
need
More movement,
manage hormonal
changes, set
boundaries and
drink more
wa t e r.
maintaining bone and muscle mass.
Think about adding yoga to your
workout routine to increase suppleness
and strength, too.
Hormone hijack. Your 40s is when
most women enter perimenopause,
when the body reduces the amount
of oestrogen and eggs it produces.
You may be starting to notice changes
in your menstrual cycle – heavy
bleeding is a common symptom
of perimenopause. “There are
many good options to stop
heavy or painful bleeding,”
says Brisbane gynaecologist
Dr Ameratunga. “You don’t
need to suffer, and hormonal
options are not the only
solutions out there. Simple
and convenient measures exist
such as endometrial ablations.
Discuss your symptoms with
your gynaecologist if your
period is interfering with
your daily activities.”
Sleep tight. Sleep problems are common
during times of hormonal change.
Symptoms, particularly hot flushes and
night sweats, can disturb sleep and set
off insomnia. Relaxation techniques
such as meditation, and massage
and exercise may help.
Know your boundaries. An important
- and often overlooked – part of self-care
is knowing when and how to set
boundaries. As life becomes more
demanding and you’re bouncing
between teenagers, careers and your
own parents, self-care means knowing
what it takes for you to thrive and
respect your own needs – whether that is
more sleep, spending time with friends
or alone. Learning to ask for support
and showing self-compassion are also
essential self-care strategies.
Brain drain. It’s easy to become
consumed by family, careers and
mortgages but it’s important to keep
having fun. Those everyday stressors