Woman's Own: Your best decade yet!
Woman's Own reveals the health boosts to keep you feeling well in your 30's, 40's, 50's and beyond...
In your 30s
Potentially your healthiest decade but right now it's likely to be the most stressful too. Thirty somethings are fretting more about work, money, marriage, babies - you name it. Too much stress can deplete your natural immunities, leave you feeling fatigued and up with PMS symptoms. Sound familiar?
Do it now...Detox! Naturopath Sarah Bowles-Flannery urges us to zip through a 10 day detox every few months. 'Detox gives your body a break, clearing the internal organs that move toxins out of the body to get them working at peak,' says Sarah. 'If you don't they re-circulate leaving you feeling lethargic, stressed and unfocused.'
What's the drill? For 10 days avoid all processed foods, red meat, dairy products, anything made with wheat or sugar, regular coffee, tea and alcohol.
Hot tip? Drink lots of water and big up on green veggies for their folic acid - a key detoxifying nutrient. At the end you'll feel sharper, have shaved off some pounds and feel able to cope! Visit sarahbowlesflannery.co.uk
Your therapy of choice... Yoga! Bang on for the 30 somethings it can help de-stress, bring calm and restore hormone harmony. 'Life right now is extremely draining, and some of us don't deal with it very well,' says yoga therapist Simon Andriesz from the Alchemy yoga centre. 'Yoga helps you handle the pace.'
Which type? 'Kundalini is my pick for most women - it isn't too tricky to learn and the deep breathing brings you into the moment and stops you stressing.' This effective therapy costs from £8 a session. For teachers nationwide visit kundaliniyoga.org.uk and alchemythecentre.co.uk
Your supplement saviour... Agnus Castus. Herbalists love this remedy for its ability to calm the PMS symptoms that worsen with stress. Take 1ml three times a day in water. Neal's Yard Remedies Agnus Castus Tincture £6.50 for 150ml, from www.nealsyardremedies.com
The big boost... A CD! Trust us, real relaxation has to be taught and a well chosen cd can do it. Our new fave is Mind Body and Soul - two cds of relaxing music plus a one hour relaxing yoga dvd. £11.99 Universal Classics. From amazon.co.uk
In your 40s
Definitely a period of mixed blessings. Studies show your sex life is likely to be better than ever. However, your anti-ageing hormones are starting to decline and perimenopause is beginning.
Do it now...eat smarter. 'When a 40+ patient with those classic perimenopause symptoms - fatigue, insomnia, maybe the first hot flush - comes to me,' says medical herbalist Dee Atkinson, 'I get them to start adding foods rich in phyto-oestrogens - plant chemicals that mimic the effects of oestrogen and seem to help ease the symptoms - like soya beans, pulses and flax seeds. www.napiers.net
Y our therapy of choice...walking. Truly stunning for 40+ women. A regular 30 minutes of brisk walking can improve your memory and your mood as well as shaping up that early onset mid-life middle. Fitness expert Joanna Hall has a smart way to keep your shape. As you walk briskly with arms moving, draw your belly button back and down towards your spine, until you feel your tum flattening. Now hold that while you walk - it's a bit like pilates on the move. Try it! www.joannahall.com
Your supplement saviour... GliSODin, the most powerful antioxidant on the market. It helps protect against skin and gland ageing and helps support the immune system. Sarah Stacey, co- author of The Green Beauty Bible, Kyle Kathie £14.99, reckons it gives her oomph. 'When I take it I feel generally more energetic and able to cope. If I'm feeling tired by tea time then I've forgotten to take it!' £24.46 for a month's supply visit victoriahealth.com
The big boost... A flower remedy! If hitting 40 has left you flagging try Australian Bush Flower Essences Five Corners - it really helps reboot your confidence and self esteem. £9.95 for 15ml. Take seven drops am and pm for two weeks. From Neal's Yard: www.nealsyardremedies.com
In your 50s and beyond
It's all about change - as the average age for menopause is 51, you're going to be dealing with that too. But research shows that 74% of us 50+ babes are more confident and independent than the average twenty something, so with a little help we can ride the fifties rollercoaster.
Do it now...Look after yourself. And reduce your health risks.
* If you're fretting about memory loss up your intake of fish - it delays the effect of ageing on the brain by three to four years.
* If you're getting those menopause symptoms then think about taking the natural route rather than HRT. Our pick? See a medical herbalist who can create a bespoke cocktail of herbs that's just right for you. Visit www.nimh.org.uk
Your must-try therapy... Reflexology! So much more than a foot rub. 'Reflexology works on pressure points to balance the hormones and give the body emotional support,' says ace therapist Rosanna Bickerton. If you're experiencing hot flushes, insomnia and the confidence bashing that menopause often brings, then try it. Find a reflexologist at www.aor.org.uk
Your supplement saviour... St John's Wort helps increase serotonin levels, sorts mild depression, balances sleep and clinical trials show that it's good at reducing hot flushes. St John's Wort Tincture £5.99 for 50ml Boots
Your surprise boost... Facebook! Research shows that staying socially connected is associated with living longer and living better so this has to be a great way to keep in touch with family, friends and kids who have flown the nest. www.facebook.com
Got 5 minutes?
Rescue yourself from stress with a quick tension reliever. Drop your head forward, then press your fingers along the base of your skull from centre out and back again. Do it until you feel better - aaaaah...
Where to next?
The menopause: your questions answered
The best food to eat for your age
By Lynn Cardy
Average rating:
SJ Young, about 1 month
There are a huge range of associations and organisations to which complementary therapists can belong. If they do something wrong they simply move to a new organisation. In 2007 after working with Princes Foundation for Integrated Health the industry established a voluntary regulatory programme for the main therapies. Anyone visiting a complementary therapist should check that their practitioner is registered with the UK Regulator – The General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies – The practitioner should be able to supply a six digit PIN number which can be validated at www.GRCCT.org If your practitioner cannot supply a GRCCT Registration Number ask why?
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