A woman’s body is an amazing biological creation. It can support life, both the creation and the care after. But far too often, women neglect their health, especially with how busy and hectic life in the 21st century has become. Statistics show that almost 20% of women over the age of 18 are within the range of fair to poor health.
Because of this, women’s health remains a major concern in our society today. Whether you’re someone in her early 20s or someone well into her 40s, it’s important to remember that health is something that must be taken care of. Here are a few pieces of advice to help you manage your health better.
Stop Smoking
Since we were kids, we’ve seen the negative effects of smoking through health campaigns and ads. But many still fall to the nicotine addiction that still pervades society. We all know that smoking has negative effects: it’s dangerous to pregnant women, increases the risk for lung diseases, and a lot more. But stopping smoking is a decision that begins with you.
Consider delaying your triggers: finding out what it is that makes you want to stop and avoiding it can help knock off a few sticks a day. Add this to utilizing relaxation and stress-management techniques, you’ll soon find yourself smoking less and less- until you quit altogether.
Weight Training is Good for Women Too
It’s a common misconception that weight training is meant to make a person bulk up – that and only that. This is why women tend to choose less strenuous exercises when deciding to start an active lifestyle. But contrary to this fitness myth, weight training won’t automatically make you look like a bulky bodybuilder, and it’s actually for everyone.
In reality, it takes a whole lot of effort to gain massive muscles through weight training. But with lightweight training (think 20 pounds maximum), men and women alike can reduce a lot of fat content without gaining muscle mass. This is because the amount of effort you are exerting when lifting weights actually burns a lot of calories.
Not only that, but it also helps in making your muscles taut (not big) for a more slender figure. So if you’re thinking of a weight loss program, don’t shun the free weights.
Avoid Fad Diets in Women’s Magazines
Let’s face it, fad diets commonly found in women’s magazines aren’t exactly the best way to go about losing or gaining weight. While we all have the same body, each body reacts differently to the same stimulus. There are differences in natural tendencies, there’s a propensity for mineral or nutrient deficiency or even allergies to certain types of food and ingredients.
If you’re considering improving your diet, it’s best to check with a healthcare professional to find out if you have any nutritional deficiency that needs working on. Having a dietitian go through your dietary requirements and helping you come up with the right meal plan will lead you to better health faster and safer.
When In Doubt, Check with a Health Professional
We cannot stress it more: if you think anything is amiss, a visit to the doctor is required. This extends to almost everything regarding health. If you’re having difficulty losing weight, a weight management clinic is there to help. If you’re going through a pregnancy that puts you at risk, don’t be ashamed to seek help from an accredited abortion facility because it’s the only safe way to go about it. Lumps need to be checked, and a doctor is the only way to verify that it’s not something cancerous. Make sure to visit a reputable doctor as well, preferably those whose expertise is directly related to what you’re experiencing.
Don’t Stress Over Things
We all know that stress leads to health problems. And while it’s far simpler to give the advice “stop stressing”, what can we really do to stop worrying over our fears and anxieties? Students stress over their classes and grades, working women worry about their careers and work. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t do anything, or just be constantly stressed and worried. For one, exercise helps a lot, not just in weight management but also in improving your mood.
Another is meditation; sorting out your mental stresses and compartmentalizing them helps better in addressing and solving them. A lot of stress management involves looking at things in a different way to find better ways to solve them.
While women’s bodies are theirs and theirs alone, women’s health is still a community concern. Having the right support group and access to the right health facilities on top of the self-made decision to be healthy are pillars of a healthier society. Hopefully, with these tips, you can begin your journey to a healthier life.
