Prioritizing Women’s Health: Self-care and Healthy Choices Matter
Everyone benefits when women prioritize their health.
Women’s Health: Starting with four key components.
Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, once said, “A woman’s health is her capital.”
Indeed, even in a time when human health had yet to take center stage, the health of the only gender that could give birth to another was recognized.
The following information is provided to help women of all ages prioritize four critical components of health care for themselves and the other women in their lives.
#1. Exercise: Turn your daily routine into regular physical activity.
Women often face challenges when it comes to exercise. These challenges include time constraints that involve caring for others, work, and schedule conflicts. They also include personal hesitancies about even starting such an activity.
However, it is possible to incorporate “hidden opportunities” for exercise into everyday life that can prove not only beneficial to your health but also to your mental health and productivity.
For instance, walk around the block or do a quick workout at home. Include your pet, your children, or your cell phone and some calls you need to make during your walk, and suddenly your “to-do list” becomes a series of health-benefitting events.
Regular physical activity not only helps women reduce their risk of chronic disease, but also helps them sleep better, feel better, and perform daily tasks more efficiently.
By prioritizing physical activity and building it into your routine, within a few weeks, you can begin to improve your physical health and you will likely become even more productive.
#2. Nutrition: Make healthy eating a consistent practice.
Proper nutrition plays a vital role in women’s health. Therefore, it is essential that women have accurate information and support to maintain a balanced diet.
Foremost, your nutritional needs as a woman will change throughout your life. These changes begin before your teenage years and continue through pregnancy, menopause, and into your later years.
One of the most important things you can do for your health is to consume adequate protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. You can get these nutrients by including a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your diet.
If you have difficulty understanding your diet or managing your nutritional needs, contact your healthcare provider. Additionally, a variety of reliable websites also provide information on how to improve your dietary habits.
Remember—the foods you eat are the only source of energy and nutrients available to your body. Make sure your daily diet meets your body’s needs to function properly.
#3. Sleep: You’ve got to rest to be your best.
Many women endure numerous challenges when it comes to getting enough sleep. These challenges include caring for children and others, chronic or acute stress, shift work, hormonal effects, and diagnosable sleep disorders.
Ensuring you get enough sleep has numerous health benefits. These benefits include better physical function, improved memory and concentration, reduced stress levels, and a more robust immune system.
Proper sleep helps your body maintain a healthy weight because sleep deprivation can lead to overeating and weight gain. Sleep is also vital for the appropriate regulation of hormones.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7-9 hours of sleep is recommended for most adults.
You can prioritize sleep by establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and practicing good sleep hygiene. If you prioritize proper sleep until it becomes a routine, you can improve your physical and mental health.
#4. Reproductive health: The wisdom of regular gynecological exams.
A woman's reproductive system plays a significant role in her overall well-being. Regular gynecological exams, Pap smears, and breast exams are essential for early detection and treatment of numerous potential health concerns.
Because of the ever-changing stages and demands of the female body, women can also face complex challenges related to reproductive health. These challenges begin before the onset of the menstrual cycle and continue throughout pregnancy, menopause, and beyond.
As a woman, in addition to exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate rest, you can further prioritize your overall health by scheduling regular gynecological check-ups and practicing safe sex whenever you choose to be sexually active.
Remember, understanding, protecting, and caring for your reproductive health is crucial to managing your overall health and well-being throughout your lifetime.
What happens when we prioritize women’s health?
If a man has the privilege of having a special woman in his life, regardless of her age, he should be the first to encourage her to prioritize self-care, healthy choices, and regular healthcare appointments.
A woman who is mentally and physically healthy is most empowered to pursue her dreams and live her own best life. In other words, everyone benefits when women prioritize their health.
Moreover, as a woman, honoring yourself and your health will help you lead a happier, healthier, and more productive life. Be your own best advocate, take care of yourself, and encourage other important women in your life to do the same.