HABITS FOR GOOD HEALTH IN YOUR 40S

If you haven’t gotten real about taking care of yourself by the time you hit your fourth decade, your body will probably let you know. This is also the age when your doctor may suggest new screening tests, and reading the small print on a menu may become more of a challenge. This is a great age to make changes for better health. Working with your doctor and using your benefits and programs provided by the Trust, you can get the support you need to make new habits that take you into a healthier future.

Get Daily Exercise
Doctors recommend at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. It doesn’t take much to get your body going, and small things do add up. Try a fitness app for motivation — some even offer credit for housework that gets your heart rate up, so all that gardening, vacuuming or yard work counts, too.

Eat Breakfast!
This one is so important it has an exclamation point. Metabolism decreases every decade, and the earlier you eat in the day, the faster it gets going, too. If you need help managing your weight, apply for the Naturally Slim program the next time a new session is offered, or PPO Plan participants can meet with a Health Coach.

Try Something New
Shake up your routine and take a chance on a new hobby or learn a new skill. Whether it’s an online tutorial that gets you into whittling or a renewed interest in your childhood clarinet, the possibilities for learning and growing don’t end just because you’re all grown up.

Load Up on Fruits & Veggies
If you’ve never been big on eating your greens, now is the time to find ways to work them in to your diet. Someone who needs 2,000 calories a day should eat 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables. One big piece of fruit is approximately one cup, but it takes two cups of leafy greens to make a cup of vegetables.

Schedule Health Checks
Be sure to see your doctor on schedule and follow recommendations for any screening tests. Depending on your personal and family history, you may begin new annual screenings in this decade.

Continue Managing Stress
Many of us are being pulled in multiple directions — with aging parents and school-aged children — and this has been especially difficult during the pandemic. Carve out time in your schedule each day to reflect on yourself and your needs. Take a walk. Talk to a friend. Kaiser Plan participants can talk with their doctor about the resources to help manage stress, including lifestyle changes, classes, and counseling.

Don’t Forget Your Eyes
Our eyes can change at any time, and this is especially true in our forties. Get an annual check-up with an optometrist to stay on top of any changes. Wearing glasses with an incorrect prescription can cause headaches and other issues.

Source: National Institutes of Health