Embrace the Changes that Come with Age

By Lisa D. Ellis

How young are you? If you’re like many women today, the number of candles on your birthday cake says a lot less about you than your state of mind. If you feel good and comfortable with yourself regardless of the number, you will be able to handle the details of aging with real grace and make the most of every life stage.

Your Changing Body

With each passing year, your body is undergoing a series of subtle (and some not so subtle) changes. For instance, you may find as you get into your mid to late 30s and beyond that it is becoming more challenging to maintain your ideal weight. You may also find your muscle tone is not quite as tight as it was at a younger age. In addition, you might experience changes in your menstrual cycle, and decreased fertility as well. But this is also a very exciting time as well—a time to become truly comfortable in your own skin. You may have begun a family or established a career—or both. So, embrace the changes you are experiencing as you look toward a happy and healthy future.

Healthy Lifestyle Changes

So how can you prepare yourself to make the most of this new time in your life? The experts suggest that you carve out some time to make these easy, but important, lifestyle changes:

• Eat a balanced diet that includes healthy portion sizes from all of the food groups.
• Stay active on a daily basis. Even if you can’t do a full aerobic routine every day, get up and move around as often as you can to stay in shape.
• Incorporate weight bearing exercises.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Get a good night’s rest.
• See your doctor for regular checkups.
• Take all medications as directed.
• Be aware of changes in your body that may need to be assessed by an expert.

Preventative Steps

Another essential way you can protect yourself and your health is by undergoing recommended preventative screenings on a regular basis. The latest research reveals that early detection can be key to successful treatment. Take charge of your health by adhering to the following screening guidelines, as recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force:

--Mammography every 1 to 2 years after the age of 40 to look for the signs of breast cancer.

--Pap smears every 1 to 3 years to rule out cervical cancer.

--Cholesterol testing starting when you’re 45.

--Blood pressure checks at least every two years.

--Colorectal screening beginning at age 50.

--Diabetes testing if you have any risk factors for this condition.

--Bone density testing when you turn 65 to look for warning signs of osteoporosis, which is a condition that causes your bones to thin and become more fragile.

Just keep in mind that you should always follow your doctor’s advice for your specific situation, since women at high risk may need earlier, and more frequent, screenings.

Treat Discomforts

You can also help yourself age gracefully by treating various health symptoms as needed. The onset of perimenopause, which is the stage that some women experience in their late 30s or 40s that precedes menopause (or the end of the menstrual cycle), can cause a host of symptoms as your hormone levels change. These include mood swings, hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, vaginal dryness, and difficulty focusing. If you experience these or other discomforts and they are interfering with your daily life, there are a variety of effective ways to treat them. Ask your doctor for recommendations or learn more at the Mayo Clinic website (hyperlink: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/perimenopause/DS00554).

Ask for Help as Needed

In addition to caring for your body, it is also important to care for your mind, too. The truth is that life is busy these days and regardless of your age, it can be difficult to juggle multiple priorities. Furthermore, the demands on a woman’s time can also increase as she juggles family responsibilities and at the same time, meet the needs of aging parents. Add holding down a job into the mix, and you may find yourself heading for overload. If you find it difficult to do it all, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your family and friends. This support is essential if you experience high levels of stress and are sleep deprived for an extended length of time, since you could be putting your health at unnecessary risk.

A Formula for Success

While it may sound like a tall order to do it all: eat well, get enough sleep, exercise, stay on top of your health status, and take medication as needed, keep in mind that this may just be the secret to your success. So while you can’t stop the hands of time, you can embrace the years looking and feeling your very best.