Aging Mistakes
There are plenty of reasons to embrace getting older: You
have a stronger sense of self, better awareness of the world, and years of life
experience that help avoid making any major mistakes. That said, despite some
extra years of wisdom, there’s still a chance you’re making some common snafus
when it comes to your health and well-being. Here, 12 mistakes that women in
their 40s, 50s, and beyond often make—plus how to fix them, stat!
Skipping exercise
Tempted to stop working out as you get older? (Or use it as
another excuse not to start?) We’d strongly advise otherwise.
Despite the aches and pains of middle age, exercise is vital
to your health and quality of life down the road. In fact, it can actually
relieve pain, and stave off health problems in coming years, such as creeping
weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, or dementia.
If you’re already an avid fit fanatic, that’s amazing. And
if not, now is a great time to check out the gym pool, start taking yoga, or
fall in love with power walking.
Getting stuck in a rut
"Many women keep doing the same things they've been
doing for decades,” says Barbara Grufferman, author of The Best of Everything
After 50: The Experts' Guide to Style, Sex, Health, Money, and More ($14; amazon.com).
Whether that’s hanging on to ill-fitting clothes you’ve had for years, or
sticking with the exact same makeup routine, there are a number of aesthetic
gaffes that may be keeping you from looking your best.
So rather than try to turn back the clock, figure out what
makes you feel and look the most confident, and embrace how incredible you are
right now!
Not paying attention to your heart
Unless you notice obvious signs that something is off with
your ticker, you may not be giving your heart the attention it needs. But the
reality is, the lifetime risk of developing hypertension, or high blood
pressure, for adults in their mid-50s is approximately 90%, even with those who
never had a problem before. "Just because you didn't have it at 24 doesn't
mean you don't have it at 54," Robert Ostfeld, MD, a cardiologist and
director of preventive cardiology at Montefiore Health System in New York City,
told Health in a previous interview. Not to mention, cardiovascular
disease—including stroke, heart disease, and heart failure—causes more deaths
in the U.S. every year than any other illness. So even if you feel 100%
healthy, it’s crucial to check in with an MD so that you know your numbers for
cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar.
You don’t practice self-care
Between raising your kids to be healthy adults, dealing with
your own parents, and the countless obstacles that life throws your way on a
daily basis, it can be pretty challenging to squeeze in some you-time. But,
really, you don’t have time NOT to practice self-care. If you’re constantly
focusing on others and not dedicating any time to recharge, you won’t have an
ounce of energy left for anything or anyone. (Think about the safety messages
on airplanes: "In the event of an emergency, please put on your oxygen
mask before assisting others.”) If you need some inspiration on how to get started,
check out our editors’ favorite self-care practices.
Not getting enough sleep
Gone are the days when you could stay up all night and still
make it to work with a glowing complexion and a spring in your step (although,
lack of shuteye wasn't healthy then either!) While it may be tempting to
shortchange sleep, particularly if you're juggling parent- and child-care
duties, this may be one more thing you need to change. Fewer hours of sleep is
linked to a greater risk of diabetes and other health problems, which become
even more important as you age.
Not getting enough vitamin B12...
You know you should be getting plenty of iron, calcium, and
vitamin D in your diet. But what about B12? This vitamin is often overlooked as
a necessity, but it’s really important to pay attention to this nutrient, as
you get older. That’s because, as your body ages and your level of stomach acid
decreases, it can be challenging to get all the vitamin B12 it needs from a
healthy diet alone. So once you hit 50, in addition to pumping up the amount of
B12-rich foods in your diet (think eggs, meat, shellfish, and dairy), you may
want to look into trying some foods fortified with the nutrient as well.
...or potassium
Speaking of neglected nutrients, were you aware potassium is
especially vital once you hit middle age? That’s because blood pressure tends
to rise as you age, and potassium can help combat that problem, as well as
lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. But that doesn’t mean you have to
start eating a banana a day to keep the doctor away, plenty of other foods are
chock-full of potassium, including sweet potatoes, beans, and yogurt.
Thinking there are hair “rules”
Do you have to cut your tresses short or above the shoulders
once you're 50? No, because there aren't really any hair "rules" for
middle-aged women, says Grufferman. "It depends on a woman's height,
shape, lifestyle, and the condition of her hair."
The fact is that your hair will probably get more gray and
thin as you age, and the texture may get coarser as well.
Choose a cut and color that's flattering, keeping in mind
that it probably won't be the cut and color that worked for you in your 20s and
30s.
Using the wrong makeup
Even though you've been wearing certain makeup colors and
brands for years, they may not reflect what's best for your skin anymore. And
resist the urge to slather on heavy-duty powders and concealers to cover up
wrinkles and under-eye circles, as caked-on or dark makeup can make you seem
even older. For a more natural look, Grufferman suggests applying with a
"lighter touch." Keep your cosmetic bag current—replace foundations,
powders, and concealers every 6 months to a year, and steer clear of dated
makeup styles too.
Ignoring your teeth
You may be focusing on your wrinkles or thinning hair, but
don't forget to smile at yourself in the mirror.
One thing that can make you appear older is yellowing teeth,
but it is about more than just looks. Dental health is closely linked with
overall health, and gum disease—which gets more common as you age—has been
associated with a higher risk of heart problems.
So don't skip those visits to the dentist.
Wearing the wrong bra
It's inevitable—gravity has an impact on our bodies. But
while you might be saggy where you were once perky, that doesn't mean you have
to stay that way.
"Many women continue to wear the same size and brand
they've always worn, without considering that our bodies change as we
age," says Grufferman.
The right underwear can help lift and slim your body, so
re-evaluate your undergarments and invest in some new pieces. Most large
department stores and lingerie shops offer free bra-fitting services.
Settling for a boring sex life
Our culture tends to sell the message that young equals
sexy, but you don't have to buy into it.
You should have the confidence and freedom to dress and feel
as sexy as you want to, and explore your sexual needs as well.
"Women over 50 can have the best sex of their
lives," Grufferman says. "For many women, it's the first time they
are having sex for fun and enjoyment, not for a result (children)."
(Health.com)
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