Skip to content

Top Navigation

Health.com Health.com
  • Health Conditions A-Z
  • News
  • Coronavirus
  • Diet & Nutrition
  • Fitness
  • Beauty
  • Mind & Body
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Newsletter
  • Promo

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Health.com

Health.com Health.com
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Is Your Doctor Gaslighting You? Here's What to Do

      Is Your Doctor Gaslighting You? Here's What to Do

      How to handle a physician who doubts or dismisses your symptoms. Read More
    • 9 Signs It's More Serious Than the Common Cold

      9 Signs It's More Serious Than the Common Cold

      Doctors explain how to tell if you have a head cold or something more serious that requires medical attention, such as the flu, strep throat, meningitis, or mono. Read More
    • How Your Period Changes During Your 20s, 30s, and 40s

      How Your Period Changes During Your 20s, 30s, and 40s

      From easier cramps to a heavier flow, here's a guide on what to expect decade by decade. Read More
  • Health Conditions A-Z

    Health Conditions A-Z

    See All Health Conditions A-Z
    12 Anxiety Symptoms That Might Point to a Disorder

    12 Anxiety Symptoms That Might Point to a Disorder

    The symptoms of anxiety can be hard to detect. Here are the ones you need to pay attention to, and how to know if you may have an anxiety disorder.
    • Allergies
    • Anxiety
    • Birth Control
    • Breast Cancer
    • Coronavirus
    • Chronic Pain
    • Cold, Flu, and Sinus
    • Depression
    • Digestive Health
    • Diabetes (Type 2)
    • Eczema
    • Eye Health
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Heart Disease
    • Headaches and Migraines
    • Oral Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Psoriasis
    • Sexual Health
    • Skin Conditions
    • Sleep
    • Thyroid
  • News

    News

    See All News
    Shannen Doherty Reveals Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis—Here's What It Means

    Shannen Doherty Reveals Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis—Here's What It Means

    "I'm petrified," the actress said when she shared the news that her breast cancer came back. Here's why a stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis can be so frightening.
    • Celebrities
  • Coronavirus
  • Diet & Nutrition

    Diet & Nutrition

    The Best (and Worst) Diets of 2020, According to Experts

    The Best (and Worst) Diets of 2020, According to Experts

    FYI: The keto diet isĀ not number one.
    • Food
    • Nutrition
    • Vitamins and Supplements
    • Groceries
    • Restaurants
    • Diets
    • Keto Diet
    • Mediterranean Diet
    • Whole30
    • Recipes
  • Fitness

    Fitness

    See All Fitness
    10 Moves for a Cardio Workout at Home—No Equipment Required

    10 Moves for a Cardio Workout at Home—No Equipment Required

    Stay in your living room and still spike your heart rate.
    • Cardio Workouts
    • Strength Training
    • Yoga
    • Ab Workouts
    • Arm Workouts
    • Leg Workouts
    • Butt Workouts
    • Fitness Gear
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See All Beauty
    These 13 Women Prove Every Body Is a Bikini Body

    These 13 Women Prove Every Body Is a Bikini Body

    We're loving their inspirational, body-positive messages.
    • Skincare
    • Makeup
    • Hair
    • Nails
  • Mind & Body

    Mind & Body

    See All Mind & Body
    Why Do People Lie? We Asked an Expert

    Why Do People Lie? We Asked an Expert

    Here's the truth about lying.
    • Body Positivity
    • Self-Care
    • Misdiagnosed
    • Invisible Illness
    • LGBTQ+ Health
    • Right to Care: Health Diversity and Inclusion
    • Resolution Reboot
    • Wellness Warriors
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    20 Things You Should Throw Away for Better Health

    20 Things You Should Throw Away for Better Health

    Clean out expired products and clutter to make way for a healthier you.
    • Healthy Home
    • Pets
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Style
    • Holidays
    • Sex
    • Gifts
    • Money
    • Tech
    • Medicare
    • Best Life Now
    • Health Reviews
  • Weight Loss
  • Newsletter
  • Promo

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

LIVE
  1. HomeChevron Right
  2. Mind & BodyChevron Right
  3. 20 Health Mistakes You Need to Stop Making Before You Turn 40

20 Health Mistakes You Need to Stop Making Before You Turn 40

By Karen Pallarito
Updated October 13, 2015
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
vaccines
Credit: Getty Images
Nixing bad habits now can help you live a healthier life down the road.
Start Slideshow

1 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Turn your health around

Want look and feel young into your 40s and beyond? Now's the time to hit the refresh button.

"When you're in your 20s and 30s, you have forever"—or so you think, explains Heather Provino, CEO of the workplace wellness company Provant Health Solutions Inc., in East Greenwich, R.I.

But health and lifestyle errors can sneak up on you in midlife and, next thing you know, a routine checkup finds your blood pressure's up or your blood sugar's out of whack.

"If you're not using 40 as that check-in point and that turnout time, those issues will start compounding," leading to chronic conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, says Provino, an exercise physiologist and sports psychologist.

Here are some common mishaps and tips to get you back on track.

1 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Being addicted to your mobile phone

mobile phone
Credit: Getty Images

Are digital devices making us sick? A 2011 Harvard review links prolonged television viewing with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. More recently, researchers at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston found that blue light—the kind emitted by tablets, cell phone, e-readers and other devices—disrupts the body's natural circadian rhythms, making it harder to get a good night's rest.

"We're creating a generation of sedentary behavior that wasn't natural, say, even 20 years ago," Provino cautions.

Tip: Take a 10-minute standing break every hour that you're using your screens.

2 of 21

3 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Not making sleep a priority

sleep priority
Credit: Getty Images

Like your cell phone, your body and brain need time to reboot and recharge. Adults 18 to 64 require about 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. Skimping on shuteye does a number to your health, including raising your risk of hypertension, stroke, and obesity. It may also be a factor in depression, and there's evidence that being sleep deprived promotes biological aging, making you look older than you are.

Tip: Create a relaxing bedtime ritual—no cell phones in bed, please—with these 7 tips for your best sleep ever.

3 of 21

Advertisement

4 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Failing to floss

floss failure
Credit: Getty Images

A good flossing regimen sweeps away sticky, germy plaque that can build up on teeth and under the gum line like cement. If you don't get rid of it, it can ruin your smile. Gum disease typically appears when people are in their 30s or 40s, and men are more likely develop it than women, says the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Studies also suggest that diseased gums may be harbinger of heart problems.

Tip: If stringing floss around your pearly whites is a nuisance, try one of the many "interdental" picks, sticks, brushes, or water flossers on the market.

RELATED: 20 Mistakes You're Making With Your Teeth

4 of 21

5 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Skipping meals

skipping meals
Credit: Getty Images

Daytime fasting may seem like the perfect dieting hack. Wrong: You're more likely to overeat or splurge on junk food later in the day. Over time, missing meals can muck with your metabolism, setting you up for type 2 diabetes. Nearly two-thirds of adults with diabetes get diagnosed between ages 40 and 64.

Tip: Katharine Taber, MD, a board-certified gynecologist and director of the Women's Wellness Center at LifeBridge Health, based in Baltimore, urges patients to kick off the day with a healthy breakfast. "A, it helps with weight loss; B it gives you more energy and concentration throughout the day," she says.

RELATED: The Same 10 Weight Loss Mistakes All Women Make

5 of 21

6 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ignoring health warning signs

migraines-allergy
Credit: Getty Images

A wincing pain? A peculiar discharge? When your body offers clues that something's amiss, pay attention. Identifying health problems as early as possible often makes them more treatable. "The number of women who won't tell you they found a breast lump is astounding," Dr. Taber says."They just want to know if you (the OB/GYN) feel it." Many patients are afraid, embarrassed, or think they may be wrong, she explains.

Tip: Prepare a list of questions and concerns to share with your doctor before your visit.

6 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sneaking a cigarette (or two)

cigarettes
Credit: Getty Images

Attention tobacco cheaters: If you're stealing away for a smoke, you're a smoker, and that raises your risk for heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, and other nasty conditions. Snuffing out your cigarette habit before age 40 slashes the chance of premature death from smoking-related diseases by 90%. Quitting in your mid-40s to early 50s lowers your risk by two-thirds. In other words, you can reverse much of the damage to your body.

Tip: Visit Smokefree.gov for advice and free resources on breaking the nicotine addiction.

7 of 21

8 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Eating too much sodium

sodium
Credit: Getty Images

Sodium has a stealthy way of holing up in people's diets even when they're not tipping the saltshaker. It's in bread, processed meats, soup, cheese, sauces and dressings, among other staples. Most people consume more sodium than their bodies require. The daily recommended max is about half a teaspoon. Too much of it can cause hypertension, a major cause of heart attack and stroke.

Tip: Read packaged food labels carefully and stay under 2,300 mg a day (1,500 if you have high blood pressure).

RELATED: 16 Salt-Free Flavor Boosters

8 of 21

9 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Being dehydrated all the time

dehydrated
Credit: Getty Images

Water nourishes every cell and organ in your body, including your skin. It's even more important to stay properly hydrated as you age because older adults may lose some of their sense of thirst. Indulging in a morning cup of joe or afternoon soda-pop counts toward your daily water intake, but straight-up water is better because it's caffeine- and sugar-free.

Tip: If you pee is dark yellow, it may be a sign that you need to boost your H2O intake. (It should be clear or light yellow).

Watch the video: Health Benefits of Drinking Water

9 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Avoiding dairy products

dairy products
Credit: Getty Images

Women who shirk dairy to shave calories from their diets or ward off gas and bloating aren't doing their skeletons any favors. "Calcium intake in the 20s and 30s is really, really important for preservation of bone health," says Lisa Larkin, MD, director of the University of Cincinnati Women's Health Center. "Peak bone mass is achieved at about age 30, and it starts to decline after that," she says.

Tip: If you're not consuming 1,000 mg of calcium a day through various food sources, consider taking a calcium supplement, Dr. Larkin advises.

10 of 21

11 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Lying to your doctor

lying to doctor
Credit: Getty Images

People lie, and doctors know it. In one survey, 77% of health professionals said at least one in four patients omit facts or lie about their health; 28% believe half or more withhold the truth. Since health issues become more prevalent as we age, even little white lies may pose a danger to your health.

Tip: Come clean: "Physicians can only address what they know about," says Dr. Larkin.

11 of 21

12 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Skipping the weight room

weight room
Credit: Getty Images

A well-rounded exercise regimen wouldn't be complete without strength training. It can help you tone muscle, boost metabolism, and build strong bones. Research shows it improves flexibility, balance, and aerobic capacity, too. These fitness benefits become even more crucial as we age. Roughly half of all women 50 and older suffer hip, wrist, or spine fractures in their lifetime, but bone-building strength exercises can lower the risk of brittle-bone disease.

Tip: Incorporate free weights, weight machines, elastic bands, or resistance training using your own body weight (think push-ups and squats) into your fitness routine.

RELATED: Get Stronger and Leaner With Dumbbells

12 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Not having sex

sex
Credit: Getty Images

With young children and work obligations, sex often gets pushed aside in your 30s. But as the kids get older, sex should move back up your priority list, notes Dr. Taber. Maintaining a healthy sex life, even as you enter middle age, is an important part of intimacy. "It's harder to reinstitute a healthy sex life once you're neglected it," she says.

Tip: Talk to your doctor if sexual intercourse is uncomfortable—there are treatments available, adds Dr. Larkin. You should also read up on these 10 ways to deal with painful sex.

13 of 21

14 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sunbathing

sunbathing
Credit: Getty Images

Laying out in the sun or using tanning beds exposes skin to damaging ultraviolet radiation that prematurely ages the skin and greatly boosts skin cancer risk, including melanoma, the deadliest form of the disease. Using sunscreen and protective clothing can help. "It doesn't erase the damage from the past, but it's protective going forward, just like stopping smoking," says Ronald Brancaccio, MD, director of The Skin Institute of New York and clinical professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine.

Tip: Crave a sun-kissed glow? Fake it by applying a cosmetic bronzer. Here's how to do it in four steps .

14 of 21

15 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sipping sweet drinks

sweet drinks
Credit: Getty Images

You probably already know that drinking soda and other sugary beverages is a surefire way to pack on pounds. But if you think you're doing the right thing by swapping sugar-sweetened soft drinks for artificially sweetened versions, think again. The latest research suggests drinking diet soda is associated with weight gain, insulin resistance, and diabetes. A Tufts University study found women who drink cola—diet or regular—had lower bone mineral density. "You're actually pulling nutrients out of the body," says Monique Richard, RDN, owner of Nutrition-In-Sight, in Johnson City, Tenn. (Here's a rundown of all the reasons you need to ditch diet soda.)

Tip: Follow this guide to squash your soda habit for good.

15 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Eating too much processed food

processed food
Credit: Getty Images

Grabbing a bag of chips before hitting the gym is not the optimal way to fuel your body. Over time, all that sugar, fat, and sodium—the secret to making processed foods tasty—can do a number on your waistline and your health. Replacing a diet packed with microwave meals, snacks, and processed meats with whole grains, fresh produce, and lean meats is the way to go. "It's very convenient to go through a drive-through, but it's also pretty convenient to boil some water and put it in some oatmeal," Richard reasons.

Tip: Pack your fridge and pantry with the 20 foods you should always have in your kitchen.

16 of 21

17 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Bingeing on alcohol

alcohol
Credit: Getty Images

Most of us know that consuming excessive amounts of alcohol is toxic to the body. "It's dehydrating, and it's a process that your body can't get over as quickly, especially as you get older," Richard says. Moderation is the key: no more than one drink per day for women and two for men.

Tip: One serving means a 5-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce beer, or a shot of distilled spirits. Here's how to pour a perfect serving of wine .

17 of 21

18 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

"Friending" instead of socializing

friending
Credit: Getty Images

You're cheating yourself if you rely on Facebook and Twitter as your social outlets. "Being around human beings is critically important for our mental wellbeing," and that influences our physical health, Provino says.

Tip: Take a break from social media to hang out with friends and family, and check out these seven tips to succeed at a digital detox.

18 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Failing to discuss family health history

family history
Credit: Getty Images

Like it or not, your genes matter. If, in your 30s, your physician doesn't know there's a history of breast or ovarian cancer in your family, she may not order the appropriate screening and surveillance tests to help identify problems early on, when they're more treatable.

Tip: Learn your family's medical history and share it at your next appointment. "That will impact recommendations from your physician," Dr. Larkin says.

19 of 21

20 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Not making time for preventive care

preventive care
Credit: Getty Images

Women in their 30s "don't really take the time to take care of themselves, and so stuff gets missed," says Dr. Larkin. So, if you're not monitoring your cholesterol, you could be setting yourself up for heart disease in your 40s and 50s. And if you're putting off annual pelvic exams, routine pap tests, and clinical breast exams, you could be missing early signs of cancer.

Tip: Taking preventive measures as a young adult can make a huge difference in your wellbeing as you get older. Stay on top of the 19 medical tests everyone needs.

20 of 21

21 of 21

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Skipping recommended vaccines

vaccines
Credit: Getty Images

Kids aren't the only ones who need their shots. A half-dozen or so immunizations and boosters—including vaccines that protect against influenza and chicken pox—are recommended for adults. Many others may be appropriate depending on a person's risk factors and vaccine history. About 50,000 adults die every year from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Tip: Getting vaccinated protects yourself and reduces your risk of getting sick and spreading the disease to others.

21 of 21

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Karen Pallarito

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 21 Turn your health around
    2 of 21 Being addicted to your mobile phone
    3 of 21 Not making sleep a priority
    4 of 21 Failing to floss
    5 of 21 Skipping meals
    6 of 21 Ignoring health warning signs
    7 of 21 Sneaking a cigarette (or two)
    8 of 21 Eating too much sodium
    9 of 21 Being dehydrated all the time
    10 of 21 Avoiding dairy products
    11 of 21 Lying to your doctor
    12 of 21 Skipping the weight room
    13 of 21 Not having sex
    14 of 21 Sunbathing
    15 of 21 Sipping sweet drinks
    16 of 21 Eating too much processed food
    17 of 21 Bingeing on alcohol
    18 of 21 "Friending" instead of socializing
    19 of 21 Failing to discuss family health history
    20 of 21 Not making time for preventive care
    21 of 21 Skipping recommended vaccines

    Share options

    Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

    Login

    Health.com

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Contact us
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Sitemap

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Other Meredith Sites

    Other Meredith Sites

    • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
    • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
    • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
    • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
    • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
    • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
    • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
    • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
    • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
    • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
    • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
    • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
    • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
    • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
    • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
    • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
    • More this link opens in a new tab
    • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
    • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
    • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
    • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
    • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
    • Parents this link opens in a new tab
    • People this link opens in a new tab
    • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
    • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
    • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
    • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
    • Shape this link opens in a new tab
    • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
    • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
    • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
    • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
    MeredithHealth.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. All products and services featured are selected by our editors. Health.com may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.health.com

    View image

    20 Health Mistakes You Need to Stop Making Before You Turn 40
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.