How to Take Charge of Our Health When We Hit 40

Dialling in the Digits: How to Take Charge of Our Health When We Hit 40

When we hit the big 4-0, we can start to feel our age, but of course, if you were worried about turning 25 and then turning 30, and then 35, turning 40 is partly about settling into your most refined years, but as we hit 40, there are certain health issues that can be more prominent.

This is why we have to ensure that we focus on certain parts of our health as we get older. What are these?

• The Dreaded “C” Word

No one likes to think that they are running the risk of getting something like cancer, but the statistics show that cancer is among the leading causes of death worldwide, and with the potential for cases to rise, it’s more important than ever to ensure that we take a bit of time to focus on whether we are running the risk of developing “the big C.” Having a private full body cancer scan doesn’t have to be anything that reinforces your fear of cancer, it’s just the fact that as we get older, we are at a higher risk of developing more illnesses so it’s far better to keep on top of these things by having those regular scans. It’s a small price to pay for a lot of peace of mind.

• A Preventative Mindset

As we get older, we start to notice that things creak, and the whole concept of getting out of bed can seem like a marathon in itself. This may sound like it’s overegging the pudding, but the reality is that it’s far more important to become more preventative as we get older. In our 20s and 30s, the whole concept of building up strength is easier, but as we hit 40, we slowly start to feel our age in ways that were not so prominent a few years prior. This is why preventing and maintaining our health are two key approaches we should focus on. 

We’ve already talked about the benefit of going for regular scans as a way to prevent major illnesses, but in terms of your health and fitness, you’ve got to start looking at the numbers based on what it means to be healthy at your age. There are things like your biomarkers, such as your VO2 max and your physical strength, that are considered incredibly important. Research shows that strength is health, and your VO2 max could do a lot for your abilities to live a healthier lifestyle, but it’s when you hit your 40s that you still have time to do something about it before it is too late. This is why a preventative mindset is not just something that would be nice to achieve at this age, but it can create an essential foundation for you to prioritise yourself as you get on in years.

Your 40s are the perfect time to focus on your health. You’ve probably spent your 20s and 30s eating vast amounts of junk food and getting to grips with your own inherent weaknesses. So, use your 40s as the perfect opportunity to focus on the things that really matter, so you can age far better than everyone else you know.

Contributed Article.