Nearing your 40’s is a milestone in your life. A woman therapist once said that is often a time for reflection and realization. It is a transition into an age where you learn valuable things about yourself as you see the world from a different perspective. You are now confident, secured, and mature. This is the time where you become wiser, but also open for new things to come. You are ready to conquer anything because you are 40, and your life will begin at this very moment. But there are hurdles. These hurdles can be used to fuel your positive outlook, though. “During this period, adults may take on new job responsibilities and therefore feel a need to reassess their professional standing and make changes while they feel they still have time,” according to Psychologist Elliot Jaques.
In this article, we will be looking into the harsh reality of every woman who will be turning 40 must know. Most of us are given life choices by the time we hit our 40th year on this earth; do we want to enjoy life and live it in the best possible way without the fear of our age holding us back? Or do we worry about getting older and slowly near our deathbed? It is up to you to decide what you want to do with your life and how you choose to spend the rest of your life.
In this life, some people want to pursue their passions, live their dreams, and start another journey when they hit their 40’s. Some people do not take it well and cannot understand the changes in their bodies and fall into the opposite direction of the latter.
Women are those who undergo some physical changes when they are in their 40’s. It may seem surreal, and you can experience a whirlwind of emotions, but we will be helping you go through these hard times while giving you tips on how you can transition smoothly.
#1: The carelessness stops right now. You can no longer just eat tale out whenever you want or order pizza if you are too lazy to make a meal for yourself and expect your body to stay healthy. As your body reaches that stage, your metabolism slowly decreases. You may no longer have the metabolism that keeps your body looking good even without exercise.
Women in their 40’s need to maintain their weight or keep their body healthy to make them feel good about themselves and to also keep their overall health in check.
#2: The M word is near. It may take years before you have menopause, but your body is already starting to change in your 40’s. Your estrogen levels will become imbalanced, and the chemicals in your brain will begin to change. According to Andrea F. Polard Psy.D. “All you hear about menopause is that we women must bear a bunch of negative symptoms while going through the inevitable decline of estrogen and progesterone.” This could lead to depression and other mental issues there is, so it is better to seek professional help as soon as you start seeing the changes. We all believe that these changes are regular, but the reality is that even these changes need professional guidance to avoid more significant problems.
#3: Heart disease also affects women. Today, this is the leading cause of death in women. It is the sudden drop of estrogen levels combined with menopause, and other heart diseases increase the risk of a woman to develop Coronary Microvascular Diseases. But do not worry for you can avoid this. If you make sure that you are healthy, then, a regular check-up with lifestyle changes will improve your overall well-being.
#4: There are changes in your eyesight. Though you may have a 20/20 vision all of your life, things can change when you reach your 40’s. You might be wondering why you are developing cataracts or glaucoma. It’s because your body is undergoing signs of aging, especially if you are not taking care of yourself properly. Making sure you have the proper nourishment and antioxidants all the time will help your body healthy as it can get.
#5: This period makes us worry about anything. You might be having anxiety because your children are more independent or that your parents need more support. Also, you are worried about your health and all the things that come with life, like your finances, your relationships, and everything else in between. The best way to face these concerns is to make a way to balance it all. Knowing your priorities and the least of your worries lets you deal with each problem in the right direction so you can avoid further stress and anxiety in the future. According to John M. Grohol, Psy.D. “Anxiety, worry, and stress are all a part of most people’s everyday lives. Without anxiety, we would have no way of anticipating difficulties ahead and preparing for them.”
These all are the truths of stepping into the early stages of your 40’s. It cannot be avoided, but if you live your life the way you think is best for you while still not forgetting your responsibilities at home and work, then you can live your best life ever.