Lifestyle Changes to Embrace In Middle-Age

In early adulthood, you likely spent the bulk of your energy focused on the present moment. Whether you were launching a career or starting a family, hectic day-to-day life doesn’t leave much room for thinking about the future. But, as you enter middle age, your focus is likely shifting to planning for the future. IF you have celebrated your 40^th birthday, these lifestyle changes can help you prepare for retirement and beyond.

Focus on brain health

Currently, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s’ Disease. The key to keeping your brain and memory in tip-top shape as you age is to start focusing on brain health early. Learning and problem-solving work as an exercise for your brain. As you enter middle age, consider learning a language, enrolling in a continuing education class, amp up your reading, or start solving a daily crossword. Even routine tasks can be turned into brain exercises. Try taking a new route to work or cooking a new recipe. In addition, middle-age is the time to find the best memory supplements. By taking a memory supplement each day, you may be able to enhance your long-term memory, as well as spatial memory and word recall.

Find a hobby

Retirement, with unscheduled days and limited responsibilities, can feel daunting to many people. During middle age, when your days are crowded with work and family, so you might find yourself wondering what you will do during retirement. During middle age, prepare for the future by finding a hobby you are passionate about. While you may have limited time to explore your hobby now, it will give you something to look forward to in retirement. Whether you take up acrylic painting, tennis, or volunteering, hobbies are excellent ways to exercise your body and mind while also giving you something to dive deeper into during retirement.

Take charge of your finances

It is estimated that the average American will need to replace 70 – 90% of the annual income with savings and Social Security in order to retire. It can be difficult to put away substantial savings in your early adult years, so you may need to play catch up in middle age. If you aren’t sure where you stand with retirement planning, or if you want to look into new saving strategies, now is the time to start working with a financial planner. A certified financial planner can help answer your questions about retirement planning and find ways to help you fund other goals such as buying a new home or paying for your children’s college education.

Establish good sleep habits

As you hit middle age, you are likely to experience changes in your sleep patterns. These changes will continue as you age. In middle age, you may find that you are less able to sleep through the night, wake up earlier, and spend less time in REM sleep. Many of these changes in sleep are related to reduced production of melatonin as well as stress. To combat natural changes in sleep patterns, and to set yourself up for a future of restful nights, establish good sleep habits that will promote rest. Many middle-aged people find they need to switch to a softer mattress. It can also be helpful to set a sleep schedule, including a daily bedtime and wake time so that your body expects sleep at specific times. Lowering the thermostat and creating a cool environment may help combat sleep changes related to menopause and hormone changes. This may also be a good time to talk with your physician about sleep disorders, including sleep apnea.

Switch up your skincare

It may sound superficial, but everyone wants to look their best at every age. Youthful, healthful skin during middle age and beyond calls for a different skincare routine than the one you probably had during your 20s and 30s. In order to extend your youthful looks, focus on moisturizing frequently, exfoliating gently, and adding in retinol and antioxidants. Additionally, you may find it of benefit to incorporate specialized treatments, such as a HydraFacial treatment for example, into your skincare routine. Such treatments are a popular and non-invasive method to rejuvenate your skin to give you the appearance of youthful radiance and a revitalized complexion. While the bulk of your skincare routine has likely been concentrated on your face, it is also a good idea to look after your hands and neck which can show signs of aging. The best place to start is with a visit to a dermatologist. Not only will a dermatologist help you identify the specific skincare ingredients and products that will work best for your skin, but they can also check moles, sunspots, and marks that may actually be health concerns.