Starting from the day I thought 'I'm not young anymore' | Health investments in my 40s

Every time I felt unwell, I started thinking in my 40s, "I can't push myself like I used to..."
However, I kept pushing myself while ignoring that realization, until one day, I was "forced to stop."

The day I couldn't move due to a slipped disc and couldn't even go to the bathroom.

This time, I would like to write about the "health investments in my 40s" that I actually started from that point.

■ The "limit sign" of my 40s that my slipped disc taught me

I have 20 years of yoga experience. I've been doing some exercise.
I tend to put meals on the back burner, but I'm somewhat careful.
I never thought that I would
get a slipped disc so bad I couldn't move during yogaof all things.

I couldn't move from all fours.
I couldn't stand up or roll over.
Every day was spent holding it in to go to the bathroom, and crying as I crawled to move.

Because I work from home, the fact that "I can work even if I can't move" was also a pitfall,
leading to slower recovery, weight gain, and a troubled mind.

The body in your 40s is "different from the past."
This was the beginning of my serious realization.

■ 5 things I started for "health investments in my 40s"

1. Re-evaluated my home office chair (Investment: 35,000 yen)

For long hours of remote work, I first needed to change "how I sit."
I didn't have the courage to buy an expensive chair right away,
so I first introduced a low-cost pelvic support cushion and items to change the angle of the backrest.
I was skeptical at first, but I definitely feel that the tension in my lower back has decreased.
And recently, I finally bought a home office chair.

2. Spent money on bedding (Investment: approx. 38,500 yen)

I haven't slept sprawled out in over 10 years.
But I decided, at the very least, I will improve the "quality" of my sleep.
I bought an Airweave, which is recommended by Mao Asada and Olympic athletes.
I replaced my mattress and focused on ease of turning over.
The morning back pain is almost gone, and the fatigue remaining the next day has improved.
It's a bit expensive, but... my friend uses it too, and I thought of it as the same as going to a chiropractor 5 times, so I took the plunge and bought it.

3. Made the habit of moving my body mandatory (Investment: 15,000 yen)

It's hard to keep up with exercise on your own.
Furthermore, it's hard to even secure time to exercise.
In such cases, I recommend fixing the time.
In my case, I succeeded in making exercise a mandatory habit by doing what my favorite Haru Oishi does:
"Morning Meditation Yoga" from 5:30 to 6:00, and "Urban Classic," a machine pilates session that ends in 30 minutes.

4. Made daily "while-you-walk" a habit (Investment: 0 yen)

Instead of "I have to exercise...", it was easier to continue by "taking a detour while doing something else."
It's okay to be slow. It's okay to talk to your children while doing it.
Once you develop the habit of walking, your body stiffness loosens, and your mood becomes more positive.
Furthermore, thanks to the Mameshiba that recently came to us, my opportunities to walk have increased significantly.

5. Regular self-maintenance (Investment: 10,000 yen)

I used to think of self-maintenance as a luxury,
something I only did on special occasions.
For me, that meant chiropractic care or pressure training.
They cost a fair amount, and I had to take half a day off work,
so I kept putting them off,
but this is actually quite important.
Especially from your 40s onwards.
Having a third party observe your body
might now be essential.

■ Health is something you 'nurture' before it breaks

When I was young, I could push myself and recover by the next day.
But it's different now.
Once things fall apart, it's really hard to rebuild.

The right approach to health is 'staying ahead of it,' not just 'recovering.'
In daily life,
investing a little bit of money and effort is what protects you,I truly believe.

Summary

Precisely because you can't push yourself, create a system where you don't have to. It's not too late to start. I would be happy if my experience could be someone's 'first step.'