Age-proof yourself throughout life

A woman must set health goals at every stage of life. To speed the process up, researchers at the University of Texas say women of all ages should pull out a pen and paper and take note of the tips and advice they found during their research.

In your 20s you should…

Say goodbye to tanning salons as researchers say they “significantly increase” a woman’s odds of being diagnosed with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Reducing exposure to human papilloma virus (HPV) is also important as it is most common among young women in their late teens and early 20s. Women in this age bracket are also encouraged to limit the number of their sexual partners, consistently practice protected sex and get the HPV vaccine if they are younger than 26-years-old.

In your 30s you should…

Exercise, exercise and exercise. Most women begin to lose muscle mass after the age of 30; so women who are 30 years and over should exercise to prevent muscle loss and to build bone density to increase the rate at which the body burns calories.

But it is not all hard work for these women, a bit of relaxation is also on the health card. Researchers say if you are wanting to curb stress, complete some  breathing exercises and other relaxation-type activities.

In your 40s you should…

Make healthy food choices. With age, a woman’s metabolism goes down, so she becomes more prone to gaining weight. Making healthy food choices and staying active every day claims to help “jumpstart” the body’s metabolism and keep off unwanted pounds.

In your 50s you should…

Seek healthy hormone options. Researchers recommended that you seek healthy hormone options when you reach your 50s.

Taking hormones can increase a woman’s chances of developing uterine cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, blood clots and stroke. It is important to consult your doctor to be better informed about healthier options for managing menopausal symptoms.

In your 60s you should…

Be part of the community. For many people, living alone can lead to loneliness and depression, which may harm a person’s overall health. Joining a local club or social group could be the answer to putting a smile back on someone’s face.

Women in their 60s who are retired and lack social interaction are encouraged to find volunteer opportunities in their communities as it may help to keep them active, engaged and sociable.

Consulting your GP for annual check-ups is essential also; however, researchers say whether you are in your 20s, 40s or 60s, yearly check-ups are a must. With the help of your doctor, they say you can create a personalised health plan to help you stay healthy for years to come.