Though it sounds absurd, it is true to say I felt younger at sixty than I felt at twenty. -Ellen Glasgow, The Woman Within

From "Body for Life for Women" by Pamela Peeke, M.D.:

The perimenopausal years are when you have to pay attention to your mental aerobics as well as your physical activity. Harvard University researchers have found that a common characteristic of centenarians is that they continually challenge their brains, which as helped them maintain amazing mental clarity and memory. So remember, for all of your muscles-physical and mental-if you don't use `em, you lose `em!...

Cultivate a sense of adventure. Seize the day, and use each event as a valuable lesson and an opportunity to experiment and grow, mind and body. Don't be afraid to get out there and make new friends and enjoy new adventures. Women who have active hobbies are more likely to continue exercising for their whole lives than those who simply follow an exercise "routine." That's because they consider their activity playtime rather than an obligatory workout. Now's a great time to start investigating new activities. Because your kids are probably a little older, they can take care of themselves more, and you may also have a healthy amount of vacation time stored up to purse a fun new activity. Pick up some adventure magazines and see what speaks to you. You don't have to be an athlete to take up invigorating but easy-to-learn sports like sea kayaking, mountain biking, bicycling, or snowshoeing. Women who keep mentally and physically active look and feel like it as well.

Not really into the great outdoors? There's plenty to do indoors as well. Join clubs, be a community volunteer, take up art classes, go back to school. Try Pilates, explore the martial arts, or sign up for a dance class at your local Y. The more you try, the more likely you'll find something you love to do for life.