Health Lifestyle
Health tips for the over
40s
Your 40th birthday is a milestone. It may be the time to take stock and re-evaluate what’s important – including your wellbeing. And that could mean deciding to develop new habits to make sure you stay healthy, not just in your 40s but also in the decades to come, including the following:
Look after your heart There are lots of things you can do to boost your heart health. Your diet, for instance, can make a big difference, so try to eat less salt, cut back on sugar, keep saturated fat to a minimum and eat more oily fish. And don’t forget to eat at least five portions of fruit and veg every day. Your heart will also thank you if you stay active and keep your weight as healthy as possible.
Give up smoking If you’re a smoker, quitting is the best thing you can do to improve your health. According to the Smokefree campaign, you’re four times more likely to quit with NHS help. So ask your local Careway pharmacist about available stop smoking services.
Cut down on alcohol If the after effects of having a drink too many seem worse now than when you were younger, you may not be imagining it. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, consultant old age psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Dr Tony Rao explains that the organs that metabolise alcohol such as the liver and the stomach shrink as you get older – which means alcohol may stay in your system longer. Aim to stick to recommended moderate drinking guidelines, which state adults should
36 All About health
Getting older doesn’t mean you can’t stay as fit and well as you were in your 20s and 30s. Here’s what you should do to age healthily
regularly drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week. For more information and tips on reducing your alcohol intake, turn to page 25.
Lower your chances of developing dementia Many people fear developing dementia as they get older. But according to the NHS there's good evidence that a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing dementia when you're older. This means taking regular exercise, keeping your weight at a healthy level, not smoking and only drinking alcohol in moderation.
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