There are a lot of issues that impact women, and you can mitigate many of them with the proper knowledge, medical help and preventative steps. It is essential to understand the risks we face as women and find ways to incorporate healthy lifestyle choices into our daily lives.
Not only are there physical health concerns that impact women, but there are also a lot of social and economic factors that can affect women’s health. It is crucial to take a holistic approach to your health and make smart changes that will benefit you for years to come.
1. Check Yourself For Lumps
It is important to check yourself for lumps regularly. If you notice any new lumps, moles, or unusual changes to your body, getting yourself checked out as soon as possible is essential. It can help to make a habit of checking your body over after a shower or while in bed. Knowing what your body feels like normally can help you identify any issues should they arise.
You should also check your breasts for lumps frequently. You can do this by pressing with the pads of your fingers around the breast tissue and under the armpit. This is particularly important to do if you have a family history of breast cancer.
2. Care For Your Mental Health
Mental health is just as important as physical health. It is a good idea to find a reliable, reputable therapist or counselor to call upon if you find yourself needing help. Many people opt to attend therapy regularly even if they don’t have any issues they need addressing at the moment. It can be a great way to keep yourself mentally healthy and head off any problems before they can become more significant.
3. Focus On Stress Relief
Stress can be a major cause of health issues in women. It can cause a quickened heart rate, sweating, stomach problems and more. Reducing your stress levels can be invaluable in helping you live a healthy and happy life. It is impossible to remove all stressors from your life, and some stress is perfectly normal. What is important is that you learn to deal with stress in a healthy way. You could consider discussing healthy coping mechanisms with your therapist or counselor.
4. Practice Safe Sex
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a common issue for women. Gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis are all common STIs that can negatively impact your health. Practicing safe sex by using condoms and getting tested before engaging with a new sexual partner can be invaluable to prevent contracting STIs. It is important to note that, while using condoms alone can help prevent the transmission of STIs, it is not a 100% guarantee against them.
5. Improve Your Menstrual Health
Good menstrual health is vital throughout a woman’s life. It is crucial that you understand how to manage menstrual health symptoms such as cramping, bloating, and fatigue. This can help alleviate the impact that your menstrual cycle can have on your day-to-day life.
If your menstrual pain is severe, it may help to talk to your doctor to see if any underlying issues could be exacerbating your regular cycle, such as endometritis. For mild to moderate menstrual pain, there are plenty of natural remedies you could choose to help you manage. You can find out more about these natural remedies for menstrual health from trusted experts like Dr. Ruscio.
6. Maintain A Healthy Weight
Being an unhealthy weight can cause many health issues in women. An unhealthy weight can make you more prone to developing issues such as heart disease, strokes and some forms of cancer. It is a good idea to move often and eat a healthy diet to prevent you from gaining unnecessary weight.
A healthy diet should include plenty of fruit, vegetables, protein and nutrients. It is a good idea to do some research to help you develop healthy meal plans to improve your diet. You could also consider prepping your meals for the week ahead over the weekend to reduce the temptation to order unhealthy takeaway food.
7. Reduce Your Alcohol Intake
The amount of alcohol we consume can have a significant impact on our health. Women are typically more susceptible to alcohol-related health issues due to lower water content and lower average weight compared to men. You should take steps to ensure you stick to the CDC recommended guidelines for alcohol intake, which is one drink per day for women.
8. Be Active
Being active is crucial to help you stay healthy. Even adding just 10 minutes of exercise into your daily life can be invaluable in reducing your risk of various health issues. It is a good idea to aim to do at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week.
You could start by doing a short walk each morning and evening or look into exercise classes online or in local gyms. Yoga is a great exercise to help you start getting fitter, more flexible and improve your strength. Try starting small and increasing the amount of movement you do gradually over time.
9. Be Aware Of Relationship Red Flags
Domestic abuse and violence is a leading cause of physical and mental health issues in women. As many as one in three women will experience intimate partner violence at some point in their lives. Watching out for red flags in relationships can help you avoid potentially violent situations. However, it is essential to remember that domestic abuse or violence is always the perpetrator’s fault – never the victim’s.
Some red flags you can watch out for include overstepping boundaries you’ve set, unpredictable behavior, violent outbursts early in the relationship, and them isolating you from friends and family.
10. Have Regular Check-Ups
Getting a check-up from your family doctor regularly can help identify any potential risks to your health. It could help to discuss your family history and any specific concerns you have with your doctor so they can recommend the best screenings to go for. You could also take the chance to discuss the different ways you are working to improve your health with your physician and see if they have any recommendations or advice to help.
