For most women, taking care of their health is one of the most important priorities of their lives. However, when surveyed, most women report needing more time to make major commitments to their health and longevity. Women are also less likely than men to visit doctors for routine examinations and treatments. That’s why it’s important to make small changes in self-care that can have long and lasting impacts on your overall well-being. If you want to take control of your wellness one small step at a time, keep reading for some easy, doable changes women can make to look and feel their best.
Sleep Schedules
We all know that we spend a third of our lives sleeping, or at least we should. Getting eight hours of sleep each night is ideal, but it can take work for some. Sleep is when our brains and body restore themselves, and it’s essential for not just alertness and energy but keeping stress levels low. Not to mention when you’re well-rested, you look good, and when you look good, you feel good.
Ditching Bad Habits
Most people have vices and instead of beating yourself up about them, trying to ditch them is your best bet. No one can be expected to quit smoking or drinking cold turkey, but with the motivation of good health, it should always be a goal. If you’re struggling to ditch your bad habits, a consultation with your doctor could open doors to make this easier for you. Small changes in your bad habits from too much soda, sugar addiction, or alcohol can add up to excellent health benefits.
Feminine Health
Taking care of your feminine health is something that will pay off in spades in the long run. From probiotics for vaginal health, suppositories using a vaginal insert and washes, you should not ignore this delicate part of your body. Additionally, routine STI checks, pap smears, and mammograms are essential to overall feminine health and wellness. Pay attention to these routine behaviors and appointments.
SPF Year Round
Every dermatologist agrees that the best thing you can do for your skin is to wear SPF year-round, even when it’s rainy and overcast outdoors. Not only does wearing SPF promote your skin health, but it also prevents serious skin issues down the road, from melasma to more nefarious disorders like cancer. You can put on a standalone SPF daily or opt for makeup products that contain an SPF.
Daily Movement
Not everyone has the motivation or even physical ability to hit the gym every week, let alone daily. However, some form of physical movement daily is essential to your overall health and well-being. Whether through long walks alone or with friends, doing a quick Pilates tutorial off YouTube, or anything in between, incorporating daily movement into your lifestyle costs you nothing, yet you gain so much.
Eat the Rainbow
The average American is overweight, with most being considered obese, and while some of this is out of people’s control, most are through lifestyle and diet choices. Take control of your weight and health by eating a highly nutritious diet. Strive to eat the rainbow and make 2/3 of your plate plant-based. Nutritious food is the cornerstone for overall health and well-being, and healthy weight and BMI prevent most metabolic disorders and diseases. If you struggle with this, a quick consultation with a nutritionist or your GP could put you in the right direction to make life-changing decisions.
Supplementing
Sometimes no matter how many healthy choices you’re making regarding habits and nutrition, women still need to supplement with vitamins. If you take regular prescription medication, it’s a great idea to check in with your GP or, at a minimum, pharmacist to make sure that the supplements have no interaction, but most supplements are safe. In general, most women should be taking a high-quality multivitamin, but other supplements may also benefit you, like iron during your menstrual cycle, Biotin for skin and hair health, or magnesium for heart health and managing stress levels.
Drinking Water
We all know that we’re supposed to drink at least eight glasses of water daily, but many women don’t. With all of our commitments and responsibilities, sometimes it can feel like you’re running on coffee alone. But drinking water regularly to stay healthy is essential for energy levels, a healthy appearance, and even preventing constipation. Investing in a stainless steel water bottle and committing to refilling it every day at least eight times is a small change that will make a big difference.
Limiting Screen Time
If you’re a mother, you likely know the importance of limiting your child’s screen time, but are you holding yourself accountable in the same way? Too much screen time is linked with the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and even stroke. While leisurely screen time is understandable, if you spend most of your day on a screen for work, take breaks where you get up and go for a short walk or participate in some other movement.
Managing Stress
When surveyed, most women report unhealthy stress levels and unhealthy ways of coping with stress. For a good reason, stress is known as the silent killer, as it can increase your risk for metabolic disease, stroke, and of course, it’s devastating to your mental health. You’re taking a major step in your overall health and well-being by taking control of your stress levels through exercise, getting enough sleep, working with a therapist, and other ways that suit your lifestyle.
Taking charge of your health doesn’t have to be something you do overnight or in a massive overhaul of your routines and habits, but making small changes each day that compound each other and soon you’ll be living your best life. Slowly implement the above ways to feel your best today; you deserve it. They say it takes twenty-one days to make a habit, so don’t give up; keep going. Here’s to your health!