Yikes! We dramatically age at 44 + Why sex is best in midlife
PLUS: Jorts are back in fashion! Get your fit from our shopping guide — and grab a "mood-altering" NA drink while you're at it!
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Did you get older overnight? New research explains why
Did you seem to wake up one day needing readers? Or suddenly, your skin sank? Or your muscle definition became, well, undefined? At 48, I’ve been there — and now I know why. Research suggests that rather than being a slow and steady process, aging occurs in at least two accelerated bursts.
The journal Nature Aging published a study this month, identifying the two major waves of aging — the first around 44 years old, and the second around 60.
The mid-40s spike surprised scientists, who assumed it was our loud perimenopausal symptoms, skewing the results of the group. But guess what — similar things were strangely happening to the dudes, too.
“This suggests that while menopause or perimenopause may contribute to the changes observed in women in their mid-40s, there are likely other, more significant factors influencing these changes in both men and women,” said Dr Xiaotao Shen, an author of the study.
3 factors that affect mid-40s aging in women and men include:
Cardiovascular disease
The ability to metabolize caffeine, alcohol, and lipids
Skin and muscle aging (which happens again at 60)
Since many of the changes are linked to lifestyle choices, researchers advocate for healthy behaviors like reducing stress and increasing exercise to avoid muscle loss, to combat them.
You can deep dive into this research, published in the journal Nature Aging, here. Meanwhile, I’ll grab my readers to shop Anne’s sexy list of jorts (below).
Do these nonalcoholic drinks deliver on their buzz?
As a non-drinker, I’m thrilled to see all of the new nonalcoholic (NA) drinks on the market. The fake beers, the crafty mocktails, the energy elixirs — they all make a sober GAL’s night. Plus, the popularity of these drinks helps to normalize healthy on-the-wagon lifestyle choices (a stretch from the judgies of our formative years).
The Midst writer Gretchen Kalwinkski “used her body as a science experiment” to test some of today’s most trending NA drinks, reporting on whether or not they deliver their “mood-altering” promises. From the “Sleepy girl mocktail” to Jen Batchelor and Bella Hadid’s popular Kin Euphorics — which Gretchen described as “off-putting” — get the lowdown on which drinks deliver in her honest review on The-Midst.com.
Plus, check out “Nonalcoholic drinks that taste better than the real thing” for more booze-free bevs.
5 reasons sex is best in our 40s
Contrary to popular belief, both scientific and anecdotal evidence prove that sex can be most satisfying for us women in our 40s. Why? Because we’ve thrown away the dumb script and the real worries, and we ask for what we want. Here are the specifics:
1. More confidence
As we grow in years, we grow in confidence. Scientists say it’s because we place more value on how our bodies function over how they look.
2. Higher libidos
Our libidos during peri/menopause are most affected by psychosocial factors —like more confidence and fewer life stressors — which improve for many women at this time in life.
3. Fewer pregnancy concerns
For some women in their 40s, pregnancy concerns have passed, giving that libido brain more room for other ideas — like which lube works best. (Of course, use contraception till menopause just to be sure.)
4. More communication
Research suggests that communication with partners encourages behaviors that increase the likelihood of orgasm. But first, we need to know what gets us off. By 40, we pretty much know.
5. We give zero f#cks
We’re used to hearing contradicting societal messages at the intersection of ageism and sexual desire. Luckily, when we hit 40, other people’s opinions of us take up less space in our heads, and by 46, according to a UK study, we officially give zero f#cks.
Read these points in detail here on The-Midst.com.
Have you heard? Relaxed jean shorts are in!
By Anne Holub
As Gen X babes, we’ve lived through a LOT of fashion trends when it comes to summer shorts. From colorful jams in the ‘80s to the thin Umbro sports shorts and then crotch-riding daisy dukes, we’ve seen those hemlines rise and fall. Thankfully, the latest shorts trend has us smiling instead of grimacing. We’re totally excited to ride the wave of long jean shorts this year.
As Elle points out, this summer “the baggy denim knee-length short is a trend born on the streets, not the runways.” This style is ready for whatever you throw at it, from tough leather jackets to even cowboy boots or suit jackets!
Call them “jorts” if you want, just save me a pair!
Jean shorts get a bad rap sometimes. We can disparage ones that make us look too dowdy or when they’re worn to a formal event – and that may be valid. But just as you love slipping into a comfy pair of jeans, in the summer, you can enjoy a pair of comfy jean shorts – with a few caveats.
What rise are you?
Check the “rise” before you buy. Rather than a standard cut that hits at your natural waist all the time, look for a variety of rises that could fit or flatter your body shape better.
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