THE 40 BEST HEALTH TIPS FOR WOMEN OVER 40

You're in the power decades of your life-here's how to keep your mind and body in shape to enjoy the ride.

- BETH HOWARD

1 TWEAK YOUR TRAINING.

All exercise is good exercise, but more intense workouts can help improve spatial memory-the kind that means you can remember where you left your keys-according to a new study. Give intervals a try. "If you have 20 minutes, go all out for one minute, rest for one minute, and repeat six to 10 more times," says Abbie E. Smith-Ryan, Ph.D., a professor of exercise physiology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

2 ADD ONE A WEEK.

Declare Sunday (or any day) New Veggie Day by incorporating Jerusalem artichokes, kabocha squash, dinosaur kale, and others in place of your usual broccoli or green beans. On top of all the good reasons to eat more veggies, a healthy diet rich in plant foods lowered the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women by 14% in a large French study. Make it easy for yourself: Order in from a plant-forward restaurant that can bring new veggie dishes to your doorstep, suggests Rebecca A. Seguin-Fowler, Ph.D., R.D., a professor of nutrition at Texas A&M in College Station.

3 Cut cancer risk.

It's not just for adolescents: The HPV vaccine is approved for women up to 45 to protect against the virus that can cause cervical cancer. If you're sexually active, talk to your doc. It's worth a shot.

4 TRY "NO-PEE" POSE.

Research has found that women 40 and older who partici4 pated in a specialized yoga program two days a week for six weeks saw a 70% improvement in urinary incontinence symptoms. You may get a nice mood boost too.

5 TAKE UP TAI CHI.

This practice of graceful, meditative movement helps improve sleep, quality of life, and physical performance among working women in menopause, according to the latest evidence. As a group activity, it can expand your social connections to boot.

6 Plan to win.