A youthful middle age

She bought the sari when she was still just a young bride. Now after all these years, she holds it up before her in the mirror and her heart falls. Gone is that slim figure of youth and lines of age are appearing on her brow. Would she look silly wearing that sari now?

This is a dilemma every woman goes through as they enter their middle age. Then again, there are those who manage to overcome their midlife crisis with aplomb, and with a little help of the family. Age, after all, is just a number. It’s all in the mind.

A woman can’t control hormonal changes, but she can control her lifestyle. You just need to have the mindset to thumb your nose at age.

Many women lose their confidence when they reach midlife. Ayurvedic beauty expert Rahima Sultana thinks every age has its own beauty. As a middle aged woman herself, Rahima Sultana dresses up as she pleases. She is quite confident of adorning her chignon with a flower. All it needs is confidence.

Woman over 40 years old should follow a balanced diet and ensure proper skin care to lead a healthy life.

Whether a woman is a housewife or a professional, the age of 40 is a sort of crossroads. Women face all sorts of duties at work and home, looking after the family, raising children and carrying of social responsibilities. They tend to ignore their own needs while do everything else successfully. Yet this is the time that a woman needs to care for herself the most. “If you want to look after others, you have to stay well yourself,” head of the nutrition department at BIRDEM Akhtarun Nahar, told Prothom Alo.

Women go through a big change after giving birth. A woman needs additional protein and calorie intake during pregnancy and six months after giving birth. Akhtarun Nahar suggests returning to a regular diet after the baby completes breastfeeding. In some cases, hormonal change may cause obesity which is to be addressed through proper treatment.

BIRDEM gynaecologist Shamshad Jahan said balanced diet and controlled lifestyle in post-menopause years can cut risks of old-age diseases. Dieticians advise intake of calories in accordance to physical labour, nominal intake of fat and carbohydrates, and adequate protein during this period of life.

One must eat fish, meat, eggs, milk, yoghurt, nuts. Necessary calcium can be found in lentils and dried fish.

Early morning sunlight enriched with vitamin D is very healthy for the skin. Vitamin D can also be found in milk and seafood. Leafy vegetables such as spinach and mint leaf can meet iron deficiency. Citrus fruits such as lemons provide Vitamin C for the body. An ‘amloki’ a day keeps the hair, teeth and skin, healthy and well.

Soy milk, soy nuggets and soybeans can come to the rescue, if you are lactose intolerant.

Plenty of fruits are recommended. In the case of diabetes, follow the prescribed diet and be sure to eat the necessary amounts of fruits and vegetables daily.

Enjoy your life whatever the age is. Go out for trips with family and friends. Go for a walk. Gobble up 'fuchka' and your favourite street food. Go to the movies, read books, enjoy. Make time for yourself in your busy schedule.

Depression can attack a woman and they can feel insignificant. Expert Rahima Sultana says menopause brings various mental and physical changes. Married life can be affected. There are those mood swings. Wrinkles, dark circles, gray hair can be depressing too.

Husbands have to come forward. They need to pamper their wives, inspire them. Children also need to give time to their mothers.

Designer Maheen Khan said colourful clothes lend vibrancy to life. Anyone can wear stylish clothes at any age, and stay fit through good eating habits and regular exercise.

There are certain images society and the family have of a woman in her middle age. There is no need to try and change everything. Fashion sense should be more mature, said beauty expert Kaniz Almas Khan.

Designer Shahrukh Amin said, “Age takes its toll on skin and hair. That is why sensible dressing is needed at this time. But that doesn’t mean middle aged people cannot be fashionable and it is not necessary for them to choose dull colours.”

Shahrukh Amin said muslin saris are in fashion now. The fabric is very light. A middle aged lady can wear jamdani instead of muslin and also look beautiful. “Blouse designs can make a difference too,” he added.

If a person is slim, she can wear chiffon, net, or muslin saris. Long kurtas, kameezes with straight cut pants or palazzo can also work.

It all depends on the personality. Profession and lifestyle is also a factor. Actress Kumkum Hassan still looks fashionable at the age of 55. 

“I do keep up with the latest fashion trends. When I wear sleeveless clothes, I make sure it doesn’t look bad. Just because I am not young doesn’t mean I can follow the latest trends,” she said.