Four Common Lifestyle Mistakes That Undermine Women’s Longevity After Menopause

Robin Berzin, founder and CEO of Parsley Health, explains that choices made in a woman’s 20s through 40s can have lasting consequences once menopause begins. She identifies four prevalent mistakes: prioritizing cardio to stay thin instead of building muscle, assuming normal blood-sugar levels mean metabolic health, ignoring heart-disease risk because of youth or thinness, and treating insufficient sleep and chronic stress as trivial.

Studies show that weekly strength training can cut death risk by 29% and that cardiovascular markers often rise during menopause. Berzin stresses that early detection of insulin resistance and regular strength workouts—ideally 90 to 120 minutes per one outlet—can improve long-term outcomes. She also highlights the importance of sleep and stress reduction for metabolic, hormonal, and cardiovascular stability. By addressing these issues before menopause, women can better preserve health and independence in later years.