By: Cyndi Guveiyian RD, LD

National Women’s Health Week is May 12-18, 2013!  This weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women’s health and its importance.

Women often serve as caregivers for their families, putting the needs of their spouses, children, and parents before their own. Too often, a woman’s health and well-being become secondary. Does this sound familiar? It’s time to take action and put the focus on a very important person…YOU!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health recommends following five steps to improve your physical and mental health and lower the risk of certain diseases:

• Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings (e.g., mammograms, Pap Test, annual physical, etc.)
• Get active.  There are 1440 minutes in a day.  Dedicate 30 minutes of those to exercise!
• Eat healthy by consuming a wide variety of foods from all food groups each day.  A healthy eating plan is one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lower fat milk and milk groups; includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; is low in fat, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
• Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
• Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet, and texting while driving.

As a community, we have a responsibility to support the important women we know and do everything we can to help them take steps for longer, healthier, happier lives.  Most importantly, we owe it to ourselves as women to put ourselves first on occasion.  We work hard each day to keep all the balls in motion and synchronized in perfect harmony.  We deserve to be around to see the fruit of our labor!  What will you do to promote women’s health?  Share your comments.

Resources

www.womenshealth.gov (accessed 5.13.13)

http://www.examiner.com/article/national-women-s-health-week-aims-for-education-and-disease-prevention (accessed 5.13.13)