The very HONEST truth about AGEING
From brain fog to bladder leaks, we asked women to tell us what’s surprised them most about growing older, and how they’ve learned to embrace each change with positivity
‘The hangovers. I used to be a real PR party girl, but when I hit my 30s, everything changed.
Suddenly, I would get terrible headaches after drinking wine or Champagne. I’ve learned to stick to spirits and limit myself to just a glass or two when I’m out, and actually, I’ve found a new lease of life. I now go surfing whenever I can (something I never would have done with a hangover) and focus on getting the most out of my weekends. I absolutely do not miss the disturbed sleep, red eyes and the shame of drunken social-media posts.’ NATALIE TRICE, 45, AUTHOR OF PR SCHOOL: YOUR TIME TO SHINE
My body hurts more! I take much longer to recover after exercise now. As a result, I’ve swapped my weekly netball matches for lower-impact forms of exercise, such as mini-trampolining. KATIE INGS, 39, FOUNDER OF CK SPORTS COACHING
‘I used to believe that bladder weakness only affected you in old age. So I was surprised when I experienced my first bladder leak in my 30s, triggered by the birth of my fourth child. I felt like my body was failing me. Happily, discovering the Always Discreet range of feminine hygiene products has helped me to regain my body confidence in a big way. It’s such a comfort to know I can wear what I want and don’t have to worry about where the nearest toilet is. I call them my “pads of power”.’ JANE DUCKWORTH, 50, BLOGGER AND FOUNDER OF JANE’S WORLD
‘The brain fog is very real. I’ll find myself halfway through asking someone a question, only to completely forget what I wanted to ask. Words or names for completely normal things regularly evade me. At first it was frustrating, but as time has passed, it’s allowed me to practise self-compassion. Understanding that this is just a new phase of my life and that, actually, it doesn’t really matter, has helped me to be kinder to myself. Plus, telling your daughter to put her homework in the pineapple can be highly amusing!’ JO HOWARTH, 47, FOUNDER OF THE HAPPINESS CLUB
Lie-ins are a thing of the past. I used to be able to snooze until noon at the weekends, but with age I’ve lost my ability to sleep for hours uninterrupted. What’s helped? Staying active, reading before bed and losing all clocks from the bedroom. ROCHELLE DOYLE, 41, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING READER
‘Developing mild stress incontinence aged 37, after having my two children, definitely took me by surprise.
I practise martial arts, and jump kicks, sparring and skipping can all trigger leaks. To help, I wear pads to every class, which allows me to exercise with confidence.’ JENNIFER BAILEY, 41, FOUNDER OF CALLA SHOES
‘I honestly thought the menopause would only last a few years. I wasn’t prepared to still be experiencing symptoms more than a decade later.
Unpredictable hot flushes, poor sleep and my up-anddown mood left me feeling anxious about catching up with friends, going out to dinner with my husband or even travelling long distances. I didn’t want to use HRT, so after searching high and low for natural remedies, I discovered a cream by Menomagic that contains essential oils to help cool the skin when I feel a hot flush coming on. It’s now a handbag essential. While my symptoms aren’t cured, at least I know they’re under control, and that does wonders for my confidence.’ KARENCRUMBLEHULME, 60, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING READER