40s

When the big four-oh comes around you’ll be expected to throw a big party and to grin at all the jokes about it being "all downhill" from here and about trading in the wife for a younger model and the Camry for a Harley. Ho hum.

It’s perhaps the best time of your life. You probably have kids and a circle of friends to share the good times with. Hopefully you’re gainfully employed and can afford to savour the fruits of your labours occasionally – a holiday somewhere pleasant, a night out with your partner.

But before you hit the big half century, use these years to invest in your health, both physical and emotional, and avoid the downhill tumble. Now's the time to get your life on the right track.

Emotional development