Women’s Health is often an overlooked subject when it comes to health, prevention, and disease. However, it is an important topic to not only discuss, but understand what it is and how it affects women throughout the lifespan. The National Women’s Health Information Center offers the following 10 things you can do to help live longer, live better, and live happier.
Be informed
Learn about health promotion and disease prevention by asking your healthcare provider for specific information tailored to your needs. Disease prevention is important so that you can tackle disease before it occurs. There might even be some fun women’s health groups or events in your area that you can attend and participate in.
Be good to your bones
Bones need calcium and Vitamin D to stay strong and healthy throughout your life. Make sure to include foods high in calcium and vitamin D like milk and other dairy products, tofu, leafy green vegetables, salmon, and calcium-fortified breads and juices. If you are deficient in calcium, your healthcare provider can give you suggestions on supplements to include into your diet.
Eat smart
Nutrition is the secret to good health. Eating plenty of foods rich in vitamins and minerals will help with women’s health needs throughout her life, but it also helps with weight management and metabolic disease prevention. Make sure you focus on getting fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein with each meal. Enjoy a variety of foods, and balance foods from each food group.
Get moving
The other secret to good health that goes hand in hand with nutrition is exercise and movement. The Us Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health recommends that women get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of exercise each week with at least 2 days of muscle strengthening activities. This equals about 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week. Exercise also helps with weight management, disease prevention, and helps with bone strength to prevent diseases like osteoporosis.
Play it safe
Avoid injuries as much as possible. Buckle up, wear motorcycle and bicycle helmets, use carbon monoxide detectors in your house, wear sunscreen and UV protected sunglasses, and practice safe sex by using condoms to protect against sexually transmitted diseases. All these things may sound like common sense but are important to think about every days so that you can keep your good health a priority for the long term.
Take medication wisely
Read the labels and follow the instructions carefully when taking your prescribed, over the counter medications, and herbals. Remind your healthcare provider of all the over-the-counter medications and supplements you are taking that could interact with your prescribed medicines. You can also ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are experiencing or have any questions about side effects.
Be happy
Lastly, take time for yourself. Get connected with friends, family, and the community. Do the things that you enjoy. A positive mindset goes a long way and changing your routine, the people you surround yourself with, and your activities can help make for a more positive mindset and happier you.
Women’s Health Day
March 8th is International Women’s Health Day, so this blog aims to focus on the key areas in which we can control and take ownership of our own health. Take the time to sit down and reflect on each area and ways you are doing a good job already, and ways in which you can improve your lifestyle to make for a more positive health outcome for years to come.