How to Get Your Second Wind in Midlife
- 1). Have you ever been to a high school reunion 15 or 20 years down the road? What's the first thing you notice? For most people, one of the most jarring sights is that many of one's classmates seem to have aged beyond their years. Others, though, look terrific: fit, youthful, vibrant. Some of this is genetics, of course, but I believe that, even more, it's about attitude.
- 2). Eat right.This can't be stressed enough, especially for women going through menopause. It's crucial to get enough calcium and Vitamin B12, for instance. Most doctors recommend 1500 mg. Take vitamins to supplement your diet; eat plenty of protein and leafy vegetables; don't forget a serving of fish at least once of week; drink plenty of water.The 40's are the time when many people start to let themselves go -- don't be one of those people!
- 3). Exercise - in a fun way.I'm talking impromptu kayaking trips along the Hudson; bungee jumping with your niece; dancing till dawn with your childhood best friend. Get to the gym three times a week or at least walk for an hour that many times per week. Find an exercise buddy. You'll feel 10 years younger and if you've got Pink or Coldplay on your iPod, you'll probably walk that much faster.
- 4). Travel outside your comfort zone -- literally.Some of us didn't even get out of the country until our 40's. Don't despair! It's a great time to get your second wind - and what better way to reevaluate your life than from the shores of the Nile River??
- 5). Learn a new language and dive into it.The brain starts to lose cells as we age, or so they say. It's supposedly harder for people in middle-age and above to learn a foreign language, so let that notion be your challenge. The one thing you'll have going for you at this age versus in your wild 20s is that you'll appreciate your skills more - n'est sais pas?Practice on your brother, the one who spent a month in France and has been teasing you about the way you've been saying si vous plait. I guarantee after your third trip to Paris, you'll outshine your frere -- and what's more, impress yourself. Before you know it, you'll no longer feel middle-aged because, corny as it sounds, you will truly feel reborn.
