8 things all 40-plus women should do to stay

healthy
MORE: 7 PELVIC PAINS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE

2. Exercise!
Just 30 minutes a day gives your metabolism the jump start it needs. You don’t need to join a
gym: simple squats for the thighs and stomach crunches will help shore up your bones, maintain
balance and crucially avoid injury, which becomes more important as you get older.

3. Take calcium and vitamin D

Maintaining strong bones has never been more essential, so give them a boost with calcium and
vitamin D which you can get naturally from foods such as milk and salmon. Experts recommend
women in their forties have 1000mg of calcium and 800 IU (international units) of vitamin D
every day, taking supplements if necessary.

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4. Manage your stress

If you are holding down a job as well as looking after a family, stress can trigger unhealthy
changes in the body such as increased blood pressure, lower libido and faster cell death by
inhibiting the natural heart rate.

All of this can contribute to you ageing faster, so to maintain a healthy heartbeat, breathe in
through your nose for four beats and out for eight at least twice a day or anytime you feel under
pressure.

This will activate the vagus nerve which runs from the brain to the pelvis, relaxing the heart,
muscles, and blood vessels.

MORE: HIS N HERS HEALTH CHECKS EVERY COUPLE SHOULD HAVE

5. Eat protein to fuel your mood and brain

If you’re prone to low moods, try pumping up your protein intake. Eating foods with the amino
acids needed to form complete proteins, at least twice a day, boosts levels of mood-lifting
neurotransmitters in the brain, which in turn can help with symptoms of depression and poor
memory.

Fish, eggs and quinoa are great sources of protein - aim for four ounces at each meal - but don’t
neglect carbs, as they help increase serotonin production in the brain and boost mood.
6. Make a move – in the bedroom and on the dancefloor
Try something new with your partner (and we don't just mean in the bedroom!)

When a relationship is in its first flush, dopamine sites in the brain stimulate the libido. If your
relationship is a little lacklustre, recreate those heady days by being adventurous with each other.

Take a leaf out of Strictly’s book and try ballroom dancing, or go somewhere more exciting than
your usual beach holiday. And get in touch with your inner Fifty Shades by experimenting with
sex toys – surveys have shown that women who do enjoy better sex lives.

7. Catch up with friends

Make sure you keep up with friends (in person, not just on Facebook!) Not only does relaxing
with them reduce stress and boost self-esteem, a good social life can also mean less risk of
diabetes, heart disease and strokes.

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8. Schedule vital health checks

This is the decade when health checks really start to count. Tick off the essential checks such as
an eye test (presbyopia or 'old' sight may creep up at around 45), blood pressure, cholesterol,
thyroid, mammogram and cervical smear.