Your Doctor Hates You For It: What To Stop Doing After 45

At 20, you could get away with anything, like a wild party, an all-nighter, an exam in the morning, and working in your parents’ garden for the rest of the day. But, alas, after 45 years, a completely different story begins. Several doctors told me what not to do to feel better in the second half of my life – this is the advice they gave.

According to the medical doctor, family physician Alexandra Albanese, after the age of 50, it is very important to undergo all the recommended examinations to detect cancer. First of all, she advises to stop avoiding screening for colorectal cancer – you can start with a fecal occult blood test (by the way, in Russia it is included in a free medical examination), it is even better to do a colonoscopy. Also, women should not forget about mammography – after 40 years it should be done at least once every two years.

Kevin Huffman, a physician and bariatric surgeon, says this is one of the biggest problems facing doctors: so many patients decide they can improve their health with supplements, restrictive diets or detox marathons. “Seek professional advice if you want to turn to alternative methods of healing. Sometimes these methods can be harmful or just don’t go well with your current treatment regimen,” he says.

40s are the years when we become more confident in ourselves. That’s fine, but only until you become overconfident, decide you can heal yourself, and start taking medications and supplements without a doctor’s prescription or don’t follow their advice. If this has led to problems, Huffman advises to never lie to your doctor and to honestly admit mistakes – only then can you protect yourself from even more harm.

If you needed a reason to slow down, then here it is – Michael Green, MD, urges after 45 years to reconsider your approach to extracurricular work. He also advises taking short breaks for exercise, meditation, breathing exercises or a walk – all of which will help cope with stress. Well, we remind you of the popular wisdom: “There are no impossible tasks, there is a heart attack at 45!”

Read also: Burned out – and exhausted: 5 signs it’s time for you to rest