Five Simple Steps Women Can Take to Improve Their Physical and Mental Health
Every woman is different, of course, and has different needs. But, the majority of women share a few common physical and mental health concerns.
It’s important to keep track of the symptoms of these issues so that you can maintain optimal levels of wellness.
Read on to learn more about some of the most common women’s health issues and what women can do to improve their physical and mental well-being.
Common Health Problems Women Experience
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Women are at a greater risk of developing certain health problems, including the following:
Heart disease: Heart disease is the number one cause of death in women, and the majority of women tend to be misdiagnosed since women experience different symptoms than men.
Breast cancer: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer that women are diagnosed with.
Osteoporosis: Women are more prone than men to osteoporosis, partly because they experience a drop in bone density when they go through menopause.
Depression: Women tend to be more prone to depression than men as well. Approximately 12 million women suffer from depression, compared to 6 million men.
Autoimmune diseases: Autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and lupus are highly common in women. In fact, 75 percent of autoimmune diseases occur in women.
Five Simple Women’s Health Tips
Whether you’re currently experiencing these conditions or want to keep them at bay, these five women’s health tips can help.
1. Take a Daily Multivitamin
Nutrient deficiencies are common in men and women, but the specific types of nutrient deficiencies vary. Women are typically deficient in the following vitamins and minerals:
The easiest way to get sufficient levels of the vitamins and minerals (as well as all the other essential vitamins and minerals the body needs) is to take vitamins specially made for women. There are lots of multivitamins for women, and you can also find ones designed for women of different ages. It’s easy to find one tailored to your specific needs.
2. Minimize Your Stress
Stress knows no gender, but women tend to experience higher levels of stress than men. For many women, this is because they have are more likely to have to multitask and take on a variety of responsibilities.
Stress increases your risk of experiencing all the common women’s health issues mentioned above. It can also affect your fertility and increase feelings of anxiety.
When it comes to minimizing stress, every woman is different. You don’t have to practice yoga or meditate if you don’t want to. Doing an activity you don’t like (even if it’s supposed to be stress-relieving) will just create more stress and tension in your life.
Find something you enjoy — workout, go for a walk, read, watch your favorite show — and do it regularly. Even if you can only take twenty minutes a day for it, make those twenty minutes a priority. Your mind and body will thank you.
3. Get Regular Exams
If you get regular checkups, you’ll be able to catch potential issues sooner. This decreases your risk of experiencing serious health issues.
Every woman should get a yearly physical. In addition to this examine, women over the age of 21 should get Pap tests to check for cervical cancer once every three years. Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should get a Pap test and an HPV test once every five years.
4. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise is essential for everyone, but women, in particular, need to make exercise a priority.
Surveys show that nearly 60 percent of women are sedentary (meaning they rarely participate in any kind of physical exercise) or only get low levels of exercise (meaning they rarely exercise vigorously and only participate in moderate activity).
Women should exercise for at least 30 minutes, five times per week. Vigorous aerobic exercise like swimming, walking, jogging, and cycling are great options.
Women should also participate in resistance training 2-3 times per week. Resistance training helps improve muscle mass and bone density and decreases the risk of developing osteoporosis.
5. Consider Genetic Testing
Finally, it’s important to know whether or not you are at risk of developing certain chronic diseases.
Genetic testing can help you find out if you are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and other serious illnesses.
It can be scary to find out if you’re prone to these diseases. But, it’s better to know as soon as possible. That way, you can take steps to prevent the disease and maintain a high quality of life.
You can perform many genetic tests from the comfort of your own home. Simply order the kit, take the tests, and send them back in the mail.