When a woman hits 40, her life can be more stressful that it already is. Problems seem to surface and reach full magnitude. Issues pile on top of the other, threatening to bring a strong woman down on her knees. But changes in hormonal levels are not the only concerns women have to battle with. The change in their body shape also terrorizes their self-esteem and over-all sense of well-being.

With her menopausal days filled with more tension, pressure and dejection, keeping healthy physically and mentally is the goal. Listed below are suggestions on how to beat the challenges midlife crisis awards to a woman’s health and composure.

1. Avoid Too Much Stress

Non-stimulating work is the ruin of the mind as well as the body. Hence, a bit of mind-boggling and challenging occupation is needed to spur you into full gear. Moreover, positive activity is helpful for trimming your ugly fats away.

However, in this endeavor to be more stirred and spruced, you should never forget that moderation is the key. Too much work and too little time for pause can drain the mind and body down. Weariness and fatigue can stripe the body of its natural glow and radiance. Moreover, to be overworked causes the nerves to lose their strength and solidity, making you more vulnerable to infirmities.

2. Take Time to Rest and Relax

When things get so out of hand, it is best to take a time out from things. Clearing your mind and giving yourself some space to breathe and relax is crucial for your sanity. Hence, you need to press “still” and leave things for awhile. Taking a fifteen-minute power nap or a healthy snack break can help revive your aching muscles to better concentrate on your tasks. Opting to continue despite the heaviness and confusion may lead to mistakes and blunders. Or worst, you may find yourself so pressed that wrinkles flare on your beautiful face.

3. Observe Healthy Food Choices

In times of great stress, impulse eating cannot be avoided. To forget your problems and ease your worries, you turn to high-fat foods for comfort. These food choices, comforting as they are, contain no healthy substance though. They are packed with bad cholesterol that can clog up your arteries and lead to obesity. Examples of food products you need to include in your diet for good health and better waistline are:

a. Whole Wheat / Grain

Whole wheat bread, cereals, and pasta are great sources of fiber that hold off hunger and better the digestive system. It is also packed with proteins like the amino acid tryptophan that helps enhance serotonin levels for calmer nerves.

b. Avocados

If you are looking for a high-fat diet that will relieve your anxieties and not fatten your hips, avocados are a great fruit choice. They are high in E vitamins that help prevent skin aging and maintain the skin’s youthful glow. They also contain omega-3 fatty acids, helpful in preventing elevated blood pressure.

c. Nuts

Hungry for a finger-food snack? Then munching on almonds, walnuts, pistachios and the likes prove to be wonderful anti-stress and anti-aging foods. They promote better immune system function and digestion as they are rich in magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper and selenium.

d. Soy

To avoid the discomforts most popular with the coming of menopausal stage, you should consider adding soy to your dietary plans. They are rich in isoflavones, chemicals that give women relief from mood swings, hot flashes and night sweats.

e. Fruits and Vegetables

Training yourself to eat more vegetables and fruits will not only solve your weight problems but your health issues as well. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain lots of B vitamins and vitamin C that help maintain your nerve functions and boost your immune system to treat your anxiety.

4. Stop Smoking

Smoking is a habit that you need to stop. It does not only burn you from the inside, it also damages your skin making you look 10 years older than you really are. Furthermore, it constricts your vessels leading to possible elevation of blood pressure. This could lead to possible anxiety attacks and panic episodes which can aggravate menopausal symptoms of anxieties.

5. Take Time to Exercise

Moving around such as doing simple household chores or enrolling for an aerobics class is an ideal way to get rid of excess weight and decrease the chances of getting diseases and other health problems such as heart diseases, diabetes mellitus and stroke. Mild to rigorous exercise also help to promote better blood circulation to the body and brain resulting to better concentration and performance. The skin as well benefits from this as it is rejuvenated.

If you are one of those women who are facing the crisis of middle life, I bet you are now on the verge of pulling your hair from its roots because of despair. With all the worries and unwelcomed news brought on by aging, you are probably confused on how to retain your body’s youthful glow and glory. Don't fret! There are ways to achieve a better you despite the uncontrollable hormonal changes. It is possible through a few tweaks in habits just like those mentioned above.

Author's Bio: 

If you want to learn more on how to avoid stress and prevent anxiety, Ryan Rivera can help as he is a former anxiety patient. Visit his website at www.calmclinic.com.