Find fabulous new habits in your forties

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When you get to your forties you may well find that the habits you have formed have been with you for years, but the reality is they might not be doing your mind or body very much good. No one is perfect, including us, so we’ve looked at easy ways to get happier and healthier as you sail through your forties.

Drop the vices
We all know that smoking and drinking isn’t good for us at any age, but this really is the time to try and get things under control. Binge drinking, midnight snacks, gambling excessively and lighting up one cigarette after another will be taking a toll on your health, and wallet. So look at what’s going on and make a decision to stop, and find something better to do with your time, and money.

Have health checks
Diabetes, high cholesterol, certain cancers and heart disease are all conditions that can be detected early through routine GP visits, so book in and get a clear bill of health. If things aren’t 100% good, it’s best to know what’s happening and trying to get it fixed because if you hide you head in the sand, things could get worse and then it could be too late. You might also want to keep a watch on the menopause at this stage in your life.

Get to bed
Sleep is so important and if you don’t get enough, you can feel irritable, miserable and life can quickly get you down. You might however be finding that as you move through your forties, the ease at which you get to sleep, and the amount of time you actually sleep, will change. We would suggest you still aim to get at least seven hours of snoozing a night as this will enhance your immune system, reduce stress levels, and generally help you to cope with life better.

No tech at bedtime
Talking about sleep, the one thing we do suggest is that you don’t take your phones or devices to bed. Yes, they can help you keep connected with the world, but night time is when you need to switch off, so power down and leave those light emitting screens downstairs.

Keep sun damage away
We need to do this all of our lives, but it is critical in your forties to look after your skin if you want to keep your melanoma risks down, as these increase with age. The sun’s UV rays is one of the biggest risk factors you can control, so find a moisturiser that has sunscreen in it, and if you want to go one step further to both protect yourself from skin cancer and keep wrinkles at bay, use an SPF stand alone too!

Look after your eyes
Yes, celebrities wear sunnies all the time, but they are so much more than a fashion statement; they are a good habit to get into. So take Victoria Beckham’s lead (she’s in her forties and wearing it well) and put your sunglasses on not just in the summer, but every time you go outside, and keep your eyes safe.

Smile
Life can be hard in your forties as your kids move away and your parents fall ill, but getting into the habit of smiling and laughing during your day, can be a really good for you. Laughter boosts your mood, reduces stress, and smiling at a stranger could be the lift they also need in their day.

So, what new habits are you going to make, and which badies are you going to ditch to make your forties fabulous?

Team Pure Beauty

Give something back this Christmas

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addiction problems, appreciate, bed, big difference, books, cancer, carol singing, cause, charity shop, Christmas, Christmas cards, Christmas food, clean clothes, CLIC Sargent, CLIC Sargent nurse, clothes, coopers, Crisis at Christmas, delicious Christmas dinner, donating, expert advice, festive treats, Food banks, give back, health checks, homeless, hot shower, hot soup, https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk, hungry, in need, income, less, mental health, money, nutritious, pans, Salvation Army, shoes, streets., supermarket, thick coat, treatment, volunteer

Trainers for Steve, a new phone for Rosie and that much wanted laptop for Alice, Christmas is full of presents but how about giving something back to those less fortunate than you?

We have had a look at some of the good causes you can contribute to this Christmas, as well as looking at a few ideas that come from the heart, direct to someone who will really appreciate it.

Crisis at Christmas
For less than £30, you can ensure someone in need gets a place at the Crisis Christmas table this year. That cost will include a nutritious, delicious Christmas dinner, the offer of a hot shower and clean clothes to change into. There will also be a bed for the night if needed, health checks if people want them as well as expert advice on mental health and addiction problems.

Food banks
As you order your Christmas food, or stock up in the supermarket, why not add a few extras for those who can’t afford the cost of living. There are food banks up and down the country and by donating everyday items, as well as some festive treats, you could be making a big difference to someone in need.

Clic Sargent
Did you know that £10 could buy two story books that will help children understand cancer and treatment. £30 pays for a family to stay at a Homes from Home for one night, so they can be close to hospital and £50 (the cost of a computer game) could pay for a CLIC Sargent nurse to talk to a child about their cancer diagnosis and what treatment will be like. This could make a huge difference to an entire family for less than the cost of one meal out for you.

Charity shop drop
Don’t throw away the books, clothes and shoes you no longer need, give them to a local charity shop. You might not want that thick coat or set of pans, but a charity shop gives someone else the chance to buy something they can’t afford new, and the charity gets to generate an income for their cause too. Oh, and while you are there, you could buy your Christmas cards or odd present and give even more back.

Eating on the streets
No one knows the story behind people who are homeless, but we do know that everyone gets hungry. Yes, you can give someone money, but why not buy them a sandwich, some hot soup, plus a bottle of water, and you will know that they will have eaten something that day.

The Salvation Army
Did you know that the Salvation Army helps people across the UK and there are many ways you can be a part of their work? From cake sales with family and friends to trekking in Cambodia, as well as making donations rather than sending cards, there are endless ways you can help them to make life easier for someone in need.

Volunteer you time
Time is something we can all give, and volunteers at soup kitchens over Christmas are always needed. Many organisations offer a hot meal inside in the warm to people sleeping rough, so why not do some research and see what is happening in your area and how you could get involved.

Go carol singing
Maybe this is a little old-fashioned, but why not get together some friends, put on your hats and gloves and go out and sing carols to raise coppers (and more) for a cause that is close to your heart and your home.

Have a wonderful Christmas, but if you can, do something to make someone else’s just that little bit easier too.

Team Pure Beauty