As women go through different life stages, from adolescence to adulthood, single to married with children, their health needs change accordingly. But how do you know your current health needs, let alone what you need to improve? Fortunately, many ways for women to assess their overall health, and red flags indicate which areas need improvement.
1. Go for Regular Check-ups.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women have regular health screenings at a gynecologist as part of a healthy lifestyle. Do a google search for “gynecologist near me” to find trusted professionals. These include breast cancer, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and skin cancer screenings. Other general health screenings include blood pressure and cholesterol screenings for cardiovascular disease. And from menopause onward, women should also be screened for osteoporosis. Find out which screenings you need, when you should go for them, and what you can do to prepare for them. This will help you stay on top of your health and stay informed about any health issues you may have.
2. Exercise More
Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. It can help prevent and manage many conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, such as breast and colon cancer. If you are not exercising enough, you are more likely to develop chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. You can improve your overall health by increasing both the intensity and duration of your exercise sessions. Exercises you should include in your routine include weight training, yoga, and high-intensity interval training, which have been shown to have many health benefits.
3. Watch What You Eat
Eating healthy may help reduce your disease risk, improve your mood, and boost your energy. You may have heard that you can’t “overeat health” or that there is no healthy way to gain weight. However, the truth is that you can eat healthily and still gain weight when needed. You just have to do it the right way. To eat healthily, focus on increasing your intake of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and proteins while decreasing your consumption of processed and sugary foods. You can track what you eat with a diet tracking app or a journal.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is often overlooked as an important factor in overall health, but it is essential for good health. Getting enough sleep can reduce your risk of many health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stress, anxiety, depression, and certain cancers. You can help improve your general health by getting enough sleep each night. Aim to get 7–9 hours per night if you are an adult. You need a minimum of 8 hours per night during your teen years. Researchers have studied the effect of sleeping less than 7 hours per night, and some studies suggest that it can increase your risk of disease. Some detrimental health effects of not getting enough sleep include weight gain, mood disorders, and reduced productivity.
5. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Like with your physical health, you can improve your mental health by reducing your risk of developing certain mental illnesses and living a healthy lifestyle. The most significant factors affecting your mental health are your surroundings and how you treat yourself regularly. You can improve your mental health by surrounding yourself with people you trust and love, practicing positive self-talk, and reducing stress.
Conclusion
Women have many health needs and challenges as they age and go through various life stages. Fortunately, there are many ways for you to assess your current health and identify areas that could use improvement. By following these tips, you will be well on your way to improved health. There is no denying that being a woman is hard work. To make matters worse, you must live with the knowledge that your body is changing constantly and aging faster than your male counterpart. Luckily, this doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Knowing what to expect and what changes are coming, you can ensure that you stay healthy and happy until your last breath. Now that you know how to improve your overall health as a woman, go ahead and make the most of it.
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