by Sharon Liao
Your concerns are different now than they were 10 years ago. We show you where to focus your efforts
Hit the gym, whip up a low-fat meal, meditate. Sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day to hold down a job and do everything you’re supposed to do to stay in tip-top shape.
Rather than try to squeeze it all in, take stock of what’s most important for your health right now. “As you age and your lifestyle changes, your priorities naturally shift, and your habits should reflect that,” says Dr Brent Agin, co-author of Healthy Ageing for Dummies (For Dummies).
That’s why we asked the experts to spell out the steps women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s should never miss. Follow this simple tailor-made guide and you’ll fight disease, ward off weight gain, and feel your best for years to come.
Stay healthy in your 20s
Now that you’re focusing on starting your career, finding the perfect man, and having as much fun as possible, you’re probably not terribly concerned with your long-term health. But the truth is, the more you invest now, the better off you’ll be in the long run. Start banking on your future with these smart steps.
Count your cocktails
Given those happy hours with the girls at the office, dates at the local wine bar, and all those summer sundowners, you may find you’re having a drink most days of the week. No big deal, right? “Actually, it depends on your family history,” says researcher
Dr Arthur Klatsky. Studies have found that a daily drink can increase your chances of developing breast cancer by 10 percent. Toss back three cocktails a few times a week and those odds jump to 30 percent. “Alcohol causes your body to pump out more oestrogen,” explains Klatsky. “Over time elevated levels can activate hormone-sensitive breast cancer tumours.”
The bottom line is that “If breast cancer runs in your family, it’s probably best to scale back to a few drinks a week, tops,” he says.
Practice safe sun
Melanoma is the top cause of cancer among 25- to 29-year-old women, according to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. In part, this is due to the fact that more than 60 percent of young adults suffer at least one sunburn per year, according to another study. So before you venture outside, apply a sunscreen of at least SPF30 to all exposed body parts.
