12 Strategies for Healthy Living After 40

There is a saying that life begins at 40.

However, many health problems also begin after 40. After 40, our body metabolism and functioning begins to slow down and some health problems begin to show up. Problems such as

• chronic pains especially in the joint (arthritis),
• hypertension,
• diabetes,
• stress,
• anxiety/depression,
• sexual dysfunctions including erectile dysfunction in males, and menstrual dysfunctions in females,
• prostate enlargements
• eye problems
• hearing problems
• digestive problems, such as peptic ulcer
  and so on

The top 5 causes of premature death are completely prevention including cancers (breast, cervical and colon in females, and prostate, lung, and colon in males), heart diseases, stroke, lung diseases, liver & kidney diseases

Now, let us look at some tips that will help you stay healthy even after 40.

A. determine your health goals and priorities & why -

Is it to avoid pains/aches, to feel and look younger, to have more energy, to keep your mind sound and sharp, having more active and social life, to be there for my kids and grand kids in good health and so on?

Also, outline those who depend on you to be healthy - your wife, kids, brothers, sisters, employees, investors, etc.

This will help you to put things in perspectives.

B. Develop your doctor-client relationship.

You must work with a physician that cares and can help you to achieve your health goals.

C. You have your plans and strategies and take appropriate actions on them

Generally, there are evidence based strategies that help people live long and be in good health.

You must learn, understand and apply them properly.

Here are some 12 strategies that you can start with:

1. Assess your health risks -

Health risk is the probability that you will come down with a disease or ill health or even die prematurely.

Your doctor can help you with this. You can also use health risk assessment apps to do this (healthstatus.com, etc)

2. Check yourself periodically for early detection of health problems.

Most problems start small and then grow to become big before they kill.

They are easily manageable when they are small.

We must check for problems such as hypertension, diabetes, cancers, lung/kidney/liver, eye, dental problems and infections like HIV/TB/Hep B, etc,

3. Be Active.

I recommend at least 150min of exercise every week (walk more)

4. Eat for health -

A diet scientist recommended that you should eat a good breakfask within 1 hour of rising from your bed.

Meal timing is as important as the act itself.

Eat breakfast like a king, but dinner like a pauper

Skipping breakfask has been linked to type 2 diabetes, obesity and so many other problems.

Also take your lunch between 1 and 2 pm, and dinner at least 3 hour before bed.

You must also eat as close to the ground as much as possible(eat more of plant-based foods)

Avoid foods in cans as much as possible. Eat more of fish rather than red meat; More fruits and vegetables than snacks; And more water than soft drinks.

Use smaller plate to eat.

5. Avoid alcohol and tobacco smoking.

Cut down on alcohol. More than 14units of alcohol per week is dangerous for your health. The 33cl bottle has about 2 units of alcohol.

6. Maintain personal, domestic and environmental cleanliness

Cleanliness is next to godliness and good health

7. Sleep well -

About 7-9hours of sleep daily is required for adults (18 - 64 years) to be in good health.

8. Socialize

Good health and long life has been linked to loving and supportive deep relationships.

(Watch this TED video by Robert Waldinger)

9. Work hard, but also rest hard

10. Manage yourself in a way that you are not too stressed up.

You cannot manage stress, you can only manage yourself not to be under stress.

Don’t put yourself under unnecessary pressure and stress. Compare yourself with your past, and not with others.

Be grateful.

Don’t worry about anything. Worry doesn’t solve any problems. It worsens problems.

11. Give yourself to the service and help for other people

Giving of one self to the benefit of others gives fulfilment and joy with enhance your health.

You can only be happy by making other people happy

12. Maintain a merry heart

A merry heart does good like medicine.

Good jokes, music (especially classical), and everything that can make your heart merry do a lot of good
to your health


Conclusion: the goals of health care in your 40s and 50s are to develop and maintain a good doctor-patient relationship, encourage healthy lifestyle, screen for early detection of diseases, assess risk for health problems and maintain clean and healthy environment



I wish you good health, long life and prosperity

Cheers!