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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 13, Issue 12 (March 1, 1939.)

Health Notes

Health Notes.

“Middle Age.”

Women of middle age are now awakening to the fact that life is not over at forty, but that this is the period when the experience of former years may be enjoyed. Food science is becoming extremely popular, and experiments have proved that the need for vitamins is as great after forty as it is in childhood. People over forty are apt to study the vitamin question more in relation to the young members of the family than to themselves, and have thought of their own food as only the necessary eating of three meals daily in order to “keep going,” disregarding their nutritional value.

Correct nutrition promises to become more and more important in the prevention of middle age ills—blood pressure, diabetes, arthiritis, etc. It is also generally recognised that bones and teeth (if the latter have not been ruthlessly invicted) are rebuilt throughout life and that the need for calcium and vitamin D does not diminish with age.

It is a gratifying thought that bones are rebuilt throughout life. If our bones are modernised after the swing of the pendulum to middle age, a mode of living should be planned so that middle age may be a healthful and useful period of life. It is not much use having “young bones” if the heart, liver, arteries, etc., are slowly but steadily marching downhill. These should be brought up to the standard of the bones—“As old as our bones” will be the future slogan.

Activity is necessarily lessened at middle age and food consumption should be correspondingly reduced.

The production of vegetables for the use of the family is very important, as they help so much to maintain the health and vigour that is essential if we are to maintain our share towards the founding of a healthy and prosperous people—keeping your own “cabbage patch” has decided advantages in the way of pleasant exercise and the obtainment of food valuable for the mineral elements.

Fruits as well as vegetables should be included in the daily diet. Use meat in moderation, and include less starches and sweets in the menu for the “middle aged.”

Correct nutrition, however, is not the whole story. Proper exercise, sufficient rest and a relaxed mind are also important.

If you have not acquired a hobby by the time middle age has overtaken you, then adopt one immediately and “bring it up as your own.”

In conclusion, the position may be summarised as follows:—

1. Learn the value of avoiding those foods which do not agree with you. 2. Appreciate the value of moderation and the futility of worry. 3. Live simply. 4. Exercise moderately. 5 Take into account the pleasurable aspect of eating which is essential to nutrition. 6. Self-adjustment is an important factor in mental and bodily health for mal-adjustment means neurosis and sooner or later neurosis means ill-health.

Appearance.

It is a rueful moment when you notice that your hair is undeniably turning gray. Of course, we all know that grayness is ageing, but it takes a “back seat” when the person has the spick-and-span look. Untidiness is doubly disagreeable when your hair proclaims that you are old enough to know better. If everything about you suggests freshness, you have a permanent kind of attraction.

Skin, coiffure and measurements must stand on their own merits. Don't let your skin get that dreary, uncared-for look. The three things necessary for it are: cleansing, stimulating and lubricating. Also make room in your diet for more vitamins, and indulge in moderate outdoor exercise.

Coiffure.—Keep up your interest in your hair, and try all the latest methods, finding out which will perk up your appearance.

Measurements.—Discipline your appetite, and exercise to outwit the middle-age symptoms.