New Delhi: Being in the 40s is an interesting phase in one’s life! The change of age brings along a change in responsibilities, interest and perspective towards life. A few months ago, I was having a chat with a dear friend about how our choices in the 40s will impact our life in the innings (50s, 60s and 70s) to follow. The pressure that we feel today might wear off with time, but the stress that we exert on ourselves shall remain. We spoke about how the choices we make today will help us achieve the most optimum well-being that is possible in our lives ahead.
What men over 40 years of age should do for work-life balance and wellness
In this article, let me share a few tips on what men in the 40s can do for their health and overall wellness.
Take an appointment with yourself
Most of us lead busy lives or unknowingly complicate it which results in very little time for ‘me’ i.e the person who is wearing the physical body. The 40s are a great time to start taking out more time for you and understand that the happiness we are looking for lies within us and not in worldly things. I am not saying that material possessions are not good (hey…I love my race bicycle) but let it not run your life. The Indian culture is blessed with these teachings and I am confident that there will be classes happening in your neighbourhood too… or book yourself for a week-long spiritual holiday the next time. Many regard this as a detox for the soul!
Sleep is very important
Sleep is important! But once you cross the age of 40, its time to re-evaluate your sleeping habits and understand the basic need of sleeping 8-10 hours to recharge your body. Fatigue, tiredness, sore muscles, etc, are all parts of ageing. During the 40s, the increased stress levels and significant hormonal changes can disrupt the sleeping patterns. To balance it out, having a healthy sleeping pattern is essential. Instead of chasing the alarms and snooze buttons, ensure that you sleep well and get up fresh.
Eat right
If you have picked up wrong habits over the past years, then it’s time to take a step back and reorganise your kitchen. Diet plays an incredibly important role in all bodily functions: cognitive, sleep, neurological, etc. Eat everything – fats, carbs, proteins and the micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, enzymes, etc).
Yoga – the essence of life
Yoga is a full body and mind workout. The physical benefits of yoga include strength, flexibility and balance. The pranayama is a great way to strengthen the body to deal with stress. Yoga is the perfect natural medicine to help cure problems related to ageing. With regular meditation, chanting, asanas, etc, one can ensure a more balanced life for the years ahead.
Strength building
Work on your aerobic fitness (cardiovascular health by running, swimming, biking, etc) but don’t ignore muscle strength. Try and clock the gym at least twice a week to build the main muscle groups as this will compliment your quality of life in the years to come
There is no age bar for picking up new sports. However, remember there is a risk of sports injuries. So if you are running, playing a racquet game, or soccer etc, make sure that you strengthen your body in all the three planes (frontal, sagittal, transverse) as this help avoid injuries.
Social health
We are all caught up chasing our careers. But the 40s are the time to consolidate with our friends, family and other relationships. Call up a school friend, spend some time shopping with your family, go out on vacations with friends or just join a community in your neighbourhood – the options to socialise is many though. Social health translates into well-being!
Learn time management
Pay attention to what you make out of your 24 hours. Instead of juggling with work and life all day through, take the initiative to balance it out and divide your day into work and personal time. Avoid working overtime, or stretching your timeline beyond the work schedules. Time management plays a key role in balancing your daily schedule and takes care of well-being too.
Remember, the 40s are a joyous age to take a step back and gain perspective of what you want fror the years to come. Building up a work-life balance today lays the basis for a more fulfilling life in the future!
[“source=timesnownews”]
