the only person that can
be involved. Sometimes,
people need external care-
givers to help with elderly
parents who are no lon-
ger their healthiest selves,”
explains Dr. Carbone.
“People don’t need to feel
irresponsible or that they
failed their parents if that’s
an outcome that occurs.”
The most important thing,
whether you live next
door to your parents or
in another city, is to com-
municate. “It’s about stay-
ing in touch and staying
connected.”- Your FertilitY
“I just turned 30 and feel an
enormous amount of pres-
sure to get hitched, settle
down, and start a fam-
ily,” says Annie, 30. “I can
hear my body clock tick-
ing louder than ever and
it plays on my mind con-
stantly.” If you’re between
the ages of 35 and 39, you’ve
got a 75 percent chance
of conceiving naturally
within a year. Associ-
ate professor Peter Illing-
sworth from IVF Australia
agrees there is no need to
stress. “The vast majority
of women at 35 can conceive
themselves,” he says. “It’s
after 40 that it gets harder.”
it with a pinch of salt. It’s
time to embrace some “me
time.” “We always feel like
we have to be doing some-
thing and surrounded by
people, but when do you
just get to sit and relax?”
says Dr. Goldstein. “I love
being lonely. I love going for
a walk on my own or to sit
in the park to read a book.
Love yourself, date yourself.
Don’t be scared to be alone;
it’s a lovely time.”- Your HealtH
It’s no surprise, with all the
plates we’re trying to bal-
ance, but the answer lit-
erally lies on your plate.
“Cut back on caffeine,”
says nutritionist and co-
founder of TheHealthClinic.
com.au Pip Reed. “It gives
you that boost, but what
goes up must come down,
so you crash and become
more tired and then you’re
looking for that next caf-
feine hit or sugar hit to get
that energy back up. That
about compromise and we
have to get better at dis-
cussing sex with our part-
ners, feeling more open
about it and being okay
with some awkwardness.
And if you have a conversa-
tion that’s a bit unpleasant,
it’s all right, stick with it.”
Dr. Goldstein suggests
you and your partner write
down the things you do
like about your sex life.
This way you can “cele-
brate what does work and
focus on that by creating a
new list together of things
you both like.”- Your FamilY
Dr. Carbone says you have
to recognize your own
limits and accept there
are some things simply
out of your control. “You
are not superhuman; do
your best, but you are not
cycle is exhausting in itself.”
Increasing your water intake
and swapping out refined
carbs and sugar for veg-
etables, lean protein, and
good whole grains will keep
energy levels from doing
roller-coaster flips. If you’re
still fatigued, see a GP to get
to the root of the cause.- Your Sex liFe
“There’s no such thing as
normal when it comes to
sex,” says Dr. Goldstein. “If
you’re not having sex every
night, it doesn’t matter, if
that’s what works for you. It’s
very normal for sexual atti-
tudes and beliefs to be a bit
out of sync because we’re all
different. Relationships are
Shall we write
down what we
do like about
our sex life?make
WorrY
Work
For You
“Stress can be a motivator,” says Dr. Carbone. Worry can be a
catalyst for change, learning, and growth—if you manage it
correctly. “It’s about stepping back, putting things in
perspective, and approaching each problem one at a time. It’s
when it becomes overwhelming and stops you from being the
best you can be—that’s when you need to pause and say to
yourself, ‘what can I do to not let worry dominate my life?’”74 Cosmopolitan • MAY 2017 WWW.COSMO.PH