These 37 Bad Habits Will Ruin Your 40s
Turning 40 is a big deal. While we're sure you're still young at heart, turning 40 is the time to take stock of your life and adjust your goals. Taking a nonchalant approach as if you were going to live forever is a thing of the past. It's time to catch up on your transgressions and tackle what you've been putting off.
Ignoring your retirement fund contributions, poor dental health, bad habits, and risky choices: here are some bad behavior patterns that you need to remedy right now.
1. Live from paycheck to paycheck
According to a study by the CareerBuilder website, 78% of respondents admit to living from paycheck to paycheck, and one in four people don't save anything. This can become a problem if it continues into your forties. How will you handle last-minute surprises, emergencies, and the seasonally changing needs of your children? It's time to sit down with a financial advisor and set up your budget for life's quirks.
2. Not contributing to your retirement fund
"I'll save for old age later!" As cliche as it may be, the earlier you start, the better. According to an article from The Globe and Mail, there's no need to despair if you haven't started investing in a retirement fund — you just have to work hard to achieve your goals, says Sadiq Adatia, chief investment officer at Sun Life Global Investments. Financial planners warn that in their 40s people should be on their toes. Remember, you can't count on being healthy forever, so don't wait.
3. Neglecting to get an examination or to look for a family doctor
Before reaching the age of 40, we often think that we will live forever and that disease happens to other people. But neglecting to see a doctor for a check-up can have serious consequences. Your 40s is the time to start monitoring certain factors, such as cholesterol levels, diabetes risk, and so on. It's also time to find a family doctor, if you haven't already.
4. Smoking
Do we really have to remind you of all the reasons why smoking is one of the worst habits one can have? Instead, let's look on the bright side. If you stop smoking in your early 40s, you greatly reduce your chances of dying early from lung cancer or a heart attack. It is never too late to stop, but the longer you wait, the more serious the consequences.
5. Drink alcohol
Know that as you enter your 40s, it becomes more and more difficult to recover from a night of heavy drinking. Alcohol abuse and even its excessive consumption affects the whole body. It attacks the brain, skin, liver, and heart and often leads to weight gain. Watch your drinking and, if necessary, change your habits.
6. Not getting enough sleep
You are busy and multitasking in the middle of many projects, but you are not twenty years old anymore. You can't make up for a chronic lack of sleep by napping for a few extra hours on the weekend. Getting less than six hours of sleep per night may double the risk of premature death for patients with chronic diseases. Moreover, sleep deprivation can cause many difficulties with concentration, weight, memory, diabetes, and so on.
7. Not creating a routine
Routine is often confused with boring repetition. In our early twenties we avoid routine at all costs in search of new experiences. However, performing daily tasks in a specific order improves performance. In addition, routines help us manage stress better. Now that you're in your 40s, this is a lesson you need to take seriously.
8. Neglecting to get tested for prostate cancer
Prostate examinations are for the elderly only! In fact, 40 is exactly when you should start thinking about seeing a doctor. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Why take this risk? It's time to stop putting off making an appointment. The earlier you are examined, the more likely it is that any potential treatment will be successful.
9. Neglecting a mammogram
According to 2017 figures, breast cancer caused 13% of cancer deaths among Canadian women. Obviously, getting tested as soon as you reach the age of 40 and consulting your doctor is crucial.
10. Getting a tattoo without thinking about the consequences
What we like at 19, or even at 30, won't necessarily be what we like once we hit 40. Having that butterfly on your back used to be great, but now that you're 43, let's say it no longer represents who you are. Before venturing under a tattoo artist's needle, think about it: "Am I really going to be like this for the rest of my life?"
11. And getting a tattoo in the wrong place
What if that butterfly was on your hand, neck, or worse, on your face? Those small part-time jobs that earn you a bit of pocket money are quickly replaced by real jobs and careers as you move through life, and these tattoos will unfortunately work against you, giving others a poor first impression of you or simply preventing you from advancing.
12. You don't spend enough time with friends
You are immersed in 1001 projects and put all your energy into running the house. Your partner tends to cling to you a bit, and all of your time is dominated by your family life. There could be several reasons why your friend list is shrinking, but your 40s are a great time to rekindle those connections you've neglected. You don't have to keep up with all your "friends" on social media. Just save a little time and space to cultivate your long-term relationships, because if you don't, you risk finding yourself alone. After all, memories are most beautiful when they're shared.
13. Work too much
We've already touched on the consequences of a lack of routine or lack of time, energy, and sleep. The only thing that can cause all these problems is working too much. Do you lack the right professional tools, organization or money? Now is the time to take a break and think about what you want to do. You can't keep up this pace indefinitely, and your body is sure to suffer the consequences. what do you need? What can you change? Do you need to take a fresh look at your career plan? Your problems may only increase if you continue to work out a lot.
14. Not completing your studies
Are you tired of your job and want to do something different? Or, has a series of layoffs at your job left you scared lately? Your regret of not doing more to finish your degree may be holding you back. Don't wait any longer. Find out how to continue your studies - or start a new program - online. It's never too late to plan ahead.
15. You forget to take time for yourself
Family, home, job, commitments: honestly, life is a busy one! But, even the busiest of people have to relax every now and then and think about something else. When was the last time you did something really fun, for you and yours alone? Stop procrastinating and take action for your well-being. Positive effects may include improved energy levels, better productivity, and more satisfying interpersonal relationships.
16. Not using sunscreen
Sunscreen isn't just for kids. Your skin is exposed to the sun every day. If you don't protect it, you risk paying a heavy price sooner or later. Avoid skin cancer treatments on the road by applying sunscreen before going outside.
17. Do not engage in any or very little physical activity
Is the sofa your best friend? Do you avoid exercise? This is a serious problem. Staying fit becomes more important as we get older. Do you feel short of breath or a little pain when getting out of bed? Inactive people are at risk of developing high blood pressure, obesity, anxiety and other problems as they get older. So, find a gym or any activity and get moving!
18. Bad eating
We don't digest food the same way at 20 as we do at 40. Nutritional needs change with age, too. It's definitely time to ditch the junk food and opt for healthy meals instead. Plus, if you haven't already realized, your mood is directly related to your digestion. So, start eating a healthy diet!
19. Eating too fast
Can you eat two burgers in five minutes? Beautiful. Now that you're 40 and don't have anyone to impress any more, why not slow down a bit. Eating meals quickly won't save you any time. On the contrary, this bad habit may lie at the root of many health problems, such as diabetes, high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular problems, weight gain, and others.
20. Accepting too many concessions
Life is full of relationships, both in our private lives and at work, that require compromise. Such arrangements enable us to live and work together, but there is a limit. In romantic relationships, for example, it is imperative that you find someone who complements you. Avoid sacrificing who you really are to become what the other person is looking for. Making too many concessions can lead to accepting a very unpleasant situation for you in the future. Take a moment to think. Do you bargain a lot? Are you accepting of the situations you should actually try to change? Now is the time to take stock.
21. You don't say no enough
Like those who bargain too much, someone who always says "yes" ends up creating situations from which it can be difficult to escape. Taking on too many obligations and accepting too many responsibilities will inevitably start to weigh heavily on your shoulders, no matter how strong you are. You cannot and should not carry the weight of the world. Saying "no" shows respect for your well-being as well as those to whom you have said "yes." Learn to be there for others after you take care of your own needs. It's not too late.
22. Keeping a job for the wrong reasons
Your job, or the environment you're in all week, makes you unhappy, but you still go about it every day. It's easy to justify your choices with financial or other excuses, such as your regular salary, good dental plan, habits, and retirement fund, but at what cost? You may be heading towards depression or professional burnout. Don't wait to look elsewhere. See your age as an asset in the eyes of some ?employers. Again, it's never too late to change. Wouldn't you like to go to work every morning with a smile on your face
23. Post anything and everything on social media
At a certain point, posting your comment or sharing this article might have seemed funny or relevant, but disrespectful, and possibly inappropriate, statements about individuals or companies can be costly as you get older. In fact, nearly 70% of employers now review candidate records "online". Think about that the next time you click Done.
24. Procrastinate
Do you tend to put everything off until tomorrow, your next vacation, or after the holidays? This bad habit can have costly repercussions. How many projects have you left incomplete due to running out of time? The longer you wait to fix the problem, the worse it is likely to become. Why not break the project into smaller tasks that can be done each day? The earlier you start, the more you will benefit in the long run.
25. Ignore weight fluctuations
Poor eating habits, stress, and an excessive schedule are just some of the reasons why your weight can fluctuate, but these changes are not good for your body. Reaching 40 means it's time to address this issue. Losing weight is a good place to start. Don't underestimate the impact of being overweight on your overall health. At the age of 40, you should contact your doctor if in doubt, or call an occupational health line.
26. Constantly belittling yourself
You are worth more than you think, and undervaluing yourself will eventually lead to the false belief that you are not worthy. You get enough of this kind of treatment from the rest of the world, and there is absolutely no reason to add to it. Stop being your own worst enemy. List your good qualities with confidence. You deserve it!
27. Tolerate a stressful environment
Stress was first discussed medically in 1936, and nearly a hundred years later, we still refer to it as the "disease of the century." Some of the well-documented effects of stress on health include stuttering, headaches, digestive problems, heart palpitations, and muscle pain. If this describes your daily existence, make a list of the stressful aspects of your life and start looking for solutions. Nobody but you can solve this problem.
28. You don't spend enough time with your kids
Obviously, while your children will always be your children, they won't always be young, and as they get older, your interactions with them will naturally decrease. Value your time with them now. Play with them. Participate in their activities. Reschedule the meeting and postpone your work until tomorrow. It's a small price to pay to spend some quality time with them now, while you still have the energy to do so.
29. Forget about keeping physical souvenirs
You appreciate the moment, it's true, but take the time to collect one or two souvenirs. Taking a picture of a special event or photographing your child leaves you with a tangible memory. Of course, you'll never forget the big moments, but it's often the little details that make life fun. So, before you lose a lot of memories due to age, put some of them aside. Your loved ones will appreciate it.
30. Giving too much importance to the opinions of others
Considering other people's opinions is normal. But letting their opinions control your thoughts and actions is completely like letting someone else live your life for you. Take it from us, this is a dangerous habit. You are your own person, and if this was never a top priority, then it's time to change that attitude. Putting too much power in the hands of another person will only make you feel depressed.
31. Don't cook
Taking the time to cook and eat is one of life's greatest pleasures, although many young people may not agree with that. But takeaway restaurants can be very expensive. It's time to think economically (you do have retirement fund contributions to make, after all). Plenty of recipes for cooks of all skill levels can be found online, so there's no excuse to keep spending money unnecessarily. What's more, cooking gives you control over what you put into your body. Eating poorly will age you prematurely, so take control!
32. Self-medication
Accessing health information online is certainly beneficial, but it also makes self-diagnosis very easy, which can lead to self-medication and adverse consequences for your health. If you've been turning to over-the-counter medications to relieve stress, insomnia, or other difficulties, how can you be sure which medications are right for you and when — or how — to stop taking them? Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure you are on the right track. After all, these professionals have long been studied and are here to give you quality advice.
33. Speak only one language
Are you fluent in only one language, while knowing a bit of French, Spanish or Japanese? Now is an excellent time to properly learn a second or third language. You may see more doors open for you professionally. You will definitely enjoy traveling more and maybe even fall in love with a new culture. And don't forget, as you get older, learning a new language becomes more difficult (but far from impossible!). The earlier you start, the easier it will be.
34. Holding a hatchet
There is an age when we say to ourselves, "What good can come of holding on to all these old grudges?" We know it's time to move on. This often happens in our forties. Do old disagreements with friends or family interfere with the organization of dinners or soirees? A closer look may reveal that you don't even remember what the conflict started over. Life is short, and you have better things to do than to get mad at someone for some vague or simply misguided reason.
35. Giving up on a dream
We are not talking about the procrastination we discussed earlier, but rather the tendency to regard a project as impossible. Go after what you want! What do you have to lose? If you succeed, great! If it doesn't work, at least you've tried it, and what may at first seem like a failure may turn out to be a brilliant plan. So, close your eyes and dive in! Unless you're driving, of course.
36. Never take risks
Speaking of putting off projects, if risk is what scares you, remind yourself that your chances of success are often much higher than you think. We generally overestimate how many things can go wrong. This bad habit must be given up. It prevents you from achieving your goals and reaching your full potential.
37. Never visit your parents or grandparents
Are you over 40 and still have living grandparents? You are lucky! Take advantage of this as much as possible if they are still healthy. Or call them more often if they are not. In order not to end up regretting the missed opportunity too late. Grandparents can be an invaluable resource, if you let them be. Of course, the same goes for your parents.
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