The transition between decades of age tends to vary drastically. You transition from your teenaged years to your 20?s with a new sense of freedom. You move from your 20?s into your 30?s with a shift in goals and career expectations. However, when you move from your 30?s into your 40?s, your focus tends to shift to longevity and your health. You become worried about things you never were. You limit your drinking, attempt to exercise more, and go to bed earlier. You make more physician appointments and do preventative tasks. These preventative years are important in setting your health for your coming decades.
Eating healthier
Eating healthy is important at all ages. However, it tends to affect energy and metabolism levels more after the age of 40. You might notice that spicy and highly seasoned foods do not sit as well as they used to. You may notice a few extra pounds after a long period of inactivity. You will probably even notice that your blood levels increase and decrease, based on what you consume. Eating healthier is important after age 40 as it is necessary in preventing disease and obesity.
Preventative medicine
You probably had multiple vaccinations as a child. You may be surprised to learn that there are also vaccinations available for adults. Things like shingles and flu vaccinations can prevent the spread of illness. Your body may take longer to overcome these types of illnesses now, sometimes with lasting effects. It is also important to monitor blood levels now and supplementing vitamin deficiencies with over the counter medicines. You may also find that your physician recommends medications like blood pressure control and asthma inhalers for known medical conditions.
Exercise
Many people struggle with developing a regular exercise routine. You may attempt to exercise in your 20?s, because it is what you are supposed to do. However, exercise in your 30?s and 40?s is actually for your health. It can keep excess weight off and can lower blood pressure levels. Also, an increase in aches and pains comes with age, along with jobs that require you to be stagnant for many hours of the day. Consider developing an exercise plan that you can stick to for optimal health.
Increased physician visits
As we age, we often turn to our physician to tell us what is normal and what is not. We find ourselves asking those questions we never imagined asking. We might inquire about weight gain, overwhelming stress, or even hearing protection. In most cases, you will find that your physician refers you to specialists for qualified answers. You might have a variety of medical specialists you visit frequently, including orthopedics, rheumatology, and hearing consultants.
Protecting our senses
It is also likely that your senses seem to decrease. You may require corrective lenses to see things right in front of you. You also might find yourself asking people to repeat what they just said or inquiring about an assistive listening device. Hearing protection and vision protection should become a priority during these ages. Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing. Many may be ashamed to request hearing equipment or to use a hearing aid battery, but consistent inability to hear can actually make it worse.
It is also possible to experience hearing related problems like tinnitus. Roughly 10% of the U.S. adult population, or about 25 million Americans, have experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the past year. This is often the result of a lack of hearing protection and may require regular usage of a listening device. With 1 in 6 baby boomers (ages 41 to 59), or 14.6% having a hearing problem, hearing protection is extremely important.
Our medical needs change as we age. We are likely to notice the biggest change from our 30?s to our 40?s. These years bring multiple require medical testing and the importance for preventative medicine and devices is greater than ever. As you reach your 40?s, develop a routine exercise plan, incorporate healthy foods into your diet, and begin paying attention to things like your vision and your hearing abilities.