National Women’s Health Week
National Women’s Health Week starts each year on Mother’s Day to encourage women to make their health a priority. Take these steps to live a safer and healthier life!
Get Recommended Screenings and Preventive Care
Protect your health by getting the care you need to prevent disease, disability, and injuries. Regular check-ups are important. Preventive care can keep disease away or detect problems early, when treatment is more effective.
- Many health insurance plans now offer preventative services for women available at no cost.
- Before your next appointment, review your family health history and write down any questions or issues you may have, and take it with you.
Get Moving
Get out and about and enjoy the spring and summer weather. Physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health and has many benefits including lowering your risk for heart disease; the leading cause of death for women.
- Adults should do at least 30 minutes each day of aerobic physical activity that requires moderate effort. You don’t have to do it all at once, but get at least 10 minutes of exercise at a time.
- Adults should do strengthening activities at least 2 days a week that include all major muscle groups.
Enjoy Healthy Foods
Nutrition is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Learn the basics and move toward a lifestyle of healthier eating habits.
- A healthy eating plan includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat free and low-fat milk and other dairy products, lean meats, and is low in salt, saturated and trans fats, and added sugars.
- Women need folic acid every day for the healthy new cells the body makes daily – like skin, hair, and nails. Two easy ways a woman can be sure she is getting enough folic acid is to take a vitamin that has folic acid in it every day or eat a bowl of breakfast cereal that has 100% of the daily value of folic acid every day.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Binge drinking for women is 4 or more drinks in a single occasion.
Practice Healthy Behaviors
Daily decisions influence overall health. Small actions can help keep you safe and healthy and set a good example for others.
- Wear sunscreen to keep your skin beautiful. Ultraviolet rays can damage your skin, increasing your risk for skin cancer and premature skin aging.
- Use prescription drugs only as directed by a health care provider. About 18 women in the U.S. die every day of a prescription painkiller overdose.
- Be smoke free. If you are ready to quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
Call Lifecare today at 330-454-2000 to schedule your Woman’s Wellness Exam.