Your 40s are times for new opportunities at work and at home. Both exciting and difficult changes like promotions or layoffs, moves or a distressing diagnosis give us a new perspective or change our expectations.

Mind

• Return to your passions. You may have chosen a career for pragmatic or circumstantial reasons, but you may now be looking at those choices with fresh eyes. Consider returning to the interests you had early in life, even if only after work or part time. Brush up on these skills by taking a class, joining an interest group or subscribing to a publication in that field.
• Shake up your career pursuits. You may be at a stage where you can take on new career responsibilities as family obligations lessen. This is an ideal time to return to school for a degree or certification in an area of interest to your career. Tap into employer compensation plans, or try to negotiate this as a benefit during employment conversations.

Body

• Change it up. When you enter your 40s, you may find that some activities you've enjoyed since childhood, like running or tennis, become painful. As we age, the soft tissue that connects our joints becomes less elastic and pain or injury may result. The good news is that low impact activities are diverse and extremely enjoyable! Try Pilates, cycling, swimming, walking, or yoga as alternatives to higher-impact activities.
• Bone up on calcium and Vitamin D. Calcium helps you retain bone density, while vitamin D helps your body absorb that calcium.
• Get your sleep. The National Sleep Foundation found in 2005 that half of the US population does not sleep well; about one in five get less sleep than they need to be effective in simple tasks. In your 40s you may begin to experience difficulties sleeping as your body changes, but many doctors now believe that losing sleep is not a natural part of aging. Keep track of how well you are sleeping, and speak with your doctor if you have difficulty sleeping through the night or getting to sleep.

Spirit

• Get inspired by a "fabulous 50-something." Reach out to a friend or colleague who is 10 years older than you are, and develop a deeper relationship. Draw inspiration from his or her wisdom and life lessons, and think about where you see yourself in 10 years.
• Renew commitments. Over the course of a year, call each friend or relative in your address book, even those you haven't spoken with in years. Organize a meeting of close high school or college friends.
• Make a weekend retreat. Periodically, take one weekend and clear your calendar. If possible, clear your family’s calendar. Try to make it a weekend without work—no home projects, no big meals—and a time for leisure activities you enjoy, like gardening, reading or relaxing.