8 Worst Health Mistakes That Women Do After The Age of 40

 

As you age, your body becomes more prone to various diseases. When you reach at the age of 40 your risk of chronic and long term health conditions increases. This is the right time to become more attentive to your physical and mental health. You cannot eliminate the risk of all health problems but you can decrease it by making healthy choices and changing your lifestyle. 

Keep reading to discover 8 worst health mistakes that you can make after the age of 40.

1. You do not use sunscreen

It is important to use sunscreen at any age. Proper sun protection decreases your risk of pigmentation, melanoma, and other skin cancers. By using sunscreen you become less prone to premature skin aging. It is important to use sun protection even in winter. 

2. You are physically inactive

Physical activity is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It promotes bone density, improves posture, and increases metabolism. Sport can help you combat fatigue and improve emotional well-being. You need to exercise at least 150 minutes per week to ensure better health. 

3. You practice poor oral hygiene

Dental hygiene is an essential part of your overall health and well-being. By neglecting your dental health you run the risk of getting overall health problems. The untreated dental infection makes you more prone to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases. Severe dental infections can make you a bad candidate for procedures like dental implants and veneers. 

4. You eat an unhealthy diet

Your metabolic rate decreases as you become older. If you will be eating the same diet as at the age of 20, you can gain excess weight very fast. At the age of 40, your body needs nutrients to function properly. Pay attention to portion sizes. Do not forget to balance the protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables you consume. You need to minimize the number of refined carbs, like white bread and pasta in your diet. 

5. You ignore  the pain

You need to pay attention to the signals that your body gives you. Pain is the main symptom that something is wrong with your body. By ignoring the pain that doesn’t go away you can get exposed to serious health consequences. If left untreated, it can become chronic or even life-threatening. Call your doctor if you experience pain. 

6. You use your phone before bedtime

By using your phone in the bed you risk getting sleeping problems like insomnia. It can increase your risk of mental problems and heart disease. You need to practice sleep hygiene and put your phone aside an hour before bed. It is also recommended to use a blue light filter on your phone or computer. Blue light can disrupt melatonin which regulates your sleep/wake cycles.

7. You neglect weight training

While cardio training is important, weight training has a lot of benefits as well. Weight training has a positive effect on cardiovascular health and it prevents age-related muscle loss. High muscle mass increases the metabolic rate. It means you burn more calories while resting and are less likely to gain weight. Strong muscles are key in minimizing your risk of fractures and osteoporosis. 

8. You have unprotected sex

Even in your 40s, you can get a sexually transmitted infection. If you aren’t sure about the health status of your sex partner, it is recommended to use a condom. By having unprotected sex you can run into the risk to catch all sorts of diseases and infections. You need to use protection and ask your partner to get tested for sexually transmitted infections. 

 

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