As you age, a combination of hormonal changes, such as the reduction in growth hormone level and the build-up of stress that comes from work and family life, will lead to weight gain due to the accumulation of body fat. This is usually a gradual process that begins in your thirties and becomes more apparent in your early forties. Unless you recognize these changes early, change your thinking, and take sustainable healthy steps, you’ll continue to gain weight and have a hard time lowering your blood pressure. Here are 3 tips on how changing your mindset can help you lower your blood pressure sustainably after 40.

The first mindset shift you need is to focus on long-term lifestyle changes rather than short-term quick fixes. Remember that slow and steady wins the race. You need to stop chasing the latest diet, the latest “pill” that will magically burn fat, reduce your weight and help lower your blood pressure. Research has shown that 60-90% of people who start a new exercise regimen drop out within 6 months. Unless you have a change in your mindset, you will end up being part of this group.

The second mindset shift you need is to look inward. Instead of looking outward, look inward and try to gain a deeper understanding of yourself so you know which set of physical activities and exercises best suit your personality, sense of self, and energy level. It could be running with friends, walking, swimming, playing tennis or golf. Once you figure out which form of exercise works best for your schedule, budget, and personality, stick with it. You need to be on an exercise regimen for some time before you get all the health benefits associated with it. A mindset that makes you switch from one exercise to another repeatedly will set you up for failure. You will end up not getting the results you want in terms of lowering your blood pressure.

The third mindset shift you need to have a healthy and sustainable lifestyle is perseverance. Stick to your chosen plan. Don’t be easily put off by poor initial results, such as slow weight loss or inconsistencies at bedtime. Sleeping on time and having a deep sleep will help you lower your blood pressure because it will help you rest well and have fewer hormonal fluctuations.

You should also remember that your negative health changes occurred gradually due to bad habits like poor sleep, eating junk food, irregular exercise, and poor stress management over a period of time. To overcome these changes in a sustainable way it is necessary to persevere. You must abandon the mentality that looks for solutions overnight.