How many of us spend our whole lives devoted to success in one area or the other, giving almost no thought at all to our health? Rather than making health an afterthought, or something way, way down on the to-do list, challenge yourself to increase the priority level you assign to your health. As women, we’re likely going to live a long time. It’s up to us to ensure that our long lives are also healthy and fun! Let’s live every moment of them!
Heart Health
It’s been said a gazillion times over, yet still so many women do not realize that heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the U.S., and is a “leading cause of disability among women” (Source: NIH).
Women are generally worried with health threats such as breast and ovarian cancers, and those are indeed very important things to watch out for. But heart disease is a silent threat, even though there are ways to prevent it. Among them are: getting enough exercise, eating healthy food, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check, and refraining from smoking. Not all heart disease is preventable, but coronary artery disease, the leading cause of heart attacks, is both preventable and treatable.
Reproductive Health
Reproductive health is a very broad subject, and although it concerns both men and women, it’s especially important for women of childbearing age and beyond, regardless of whether you plan to have children at all. The reproductive system is an integral part of the female body, and just keeping regular gynecological visits will go a long way in the prevention and treatment of any abnormalities that may be discovered.
It’s also very important to ask questions. Make sure you have a gynecologist you feel comfortable asking anything – even the most awkward subjects. If you can’t talk to your doctor, find one that you can talk to. Often times, your family doctor can recommend someone for you.
Spine Health
Did you know that, to date, your spine is one of the only major body parts that cannot be replaced? You can get a new heart, new lungs, new kidneys, new limbs, etc., but you cannot get a whole new spine. So, take care of the one that you have. Regular chiropractic visits will not only help keep you aligned properly and treat skeletal and muscular issues that may lead to an irreversible and undesirable curve in your back down the road, but they also help relieve pain and stress. More and more insurance companies are covering chiropractic care because of its role in the prevention and treatment of serious health problems. For those without insurance, many chiropractors now offer solutions that make getting care affordable.
Skin Health
Your skin is an organ, and it needs to be cared for. Caring for your skin goes beyond just slathering on some expensive lotion from Bath and Body Works. It means drinking plenty of water, staying out of the sun, and paying close attention to growing moles, skin discolorations, and rashes.
Newsflash: Sunscreen is for everyone, no matter what color your skin is! Sunscreen is about protecting your skin from UV rays that deplete nutrients, moisture, and cause skin cancer. Too much exposure to the sun also causes you to look old way before your time. So do yourself a favor and buy good sunscreen and wear it all of the time. Many moisturizers now come with sunscreen, but it’s really important that you select sunscreen that protects you from both UVA AND UVB rays.
Mental Health
What are you doing to maintain your mental health? Are you making sure you eat all of your essential vitamins and minerals on a daily basis? Do you get enough water? Do you get enough sleep? Is your digestive system working properly? Do you get enough exercise on a daily basis?
Our physical and mental health are so closely aligned that I have stopped differentiating between the two. Depression is a serious health issue, and according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), is more common in women than men. Pharmaceutical drugs, therapy, or a combination of both are usually prescribed if someone has a major form depression; however, most doctors won’t do that without ruling out a physiological issue, such as a nutritional deficiency.
Take care of your mind, body, and spirit together. Like your spine, you only get one mind. There is no such thing as a mind transplant. So, guard the one you do have carefully.
Hi Tia,
I have to admit, I don’t get enough sleep. I’m a night owl…not a good thing. But I’m trying to do better.
I didn’t realize that about spine health. I remember when I was having problems with my neck, I went to the chiroprator and got an alignment. I must admit, I felt a lot better (overall) after that.
These areas are very important.
@Larissa Indeed! I agree with that wholeheartedly.
@Red Kathy Absolutely! I think people think of skin health as secondary in importance, but it’s essential!
I also would add – teeth health….also kinda important issue to constantly taking care of.
I don’t get enough sleep or exercise but skin health, I’m on it! Skin health is very important and oftentimes overlooked Tia. Lots of women focus on the aging factors at midlife or perhaps a bit younger, not a good idea to wait.
Being very fair skinned pushed total body skin care to the top of the list at a very young age for me. The sun is vital to life yet brutal on the skin. I had my skin checked not long ago. The esthetician, who knew how much time I spent in the sun over the years, said my skin looks very good. No sun damage just the normal midlife wrinkles! Sunscreen and hydration top the list of skin health must do that for sure!
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