{"id":11938,"date":"2022-05-04T13:14:10","date_gmt":"2022-05-04T13:14:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/?p=11938"},"modified":"2022-05-04T13:20:14","modified_gmt":"2022-05-04T13:20:14","slug":"how-women-can-focus-on-their-own-health-and-wellness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2022\/05\/04\/how-women-can-focus-on-their-own-health-and-wellness\/","title":{"rendered":"How Women Can Focus On Their Own Health and Wellness"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Mother\u2019s Day marks the beginning of National Women\u2019s Health Week and it\u2019s the perfect time for women to make their health a priority.<\/h3>\n

\u201cWorking, managing a household, juggling appointments and activities, and caring for family members \u2013 all of these affect the physical and mental health of women,\u201d says Stephanie Flaherty, DO<\/a>, Family Medicine Physician<\/a> at Cooper Care Alliance<\/a>. \u201cWomen are often caregivers, but they must remember to take care of themselves too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Flaherty recommends that women take time this week, and throughout the year, to focus on their health and wellness.<\/p>\n

Here are a few tips to put you on the right track:<\/p>\n

Find a Primary Care Physician<\/h3>\n

Whether 18 or 88, women of all ages should have a primary care provider with whom they feel comfortable asking questions and raising concerns about their bodies.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnnual wellness visits are a great way to stay on top of your health,\u201d Dr. Flaherty says. \u201cJust as you might schedule a manicure or a dinner with friends, it\u2019s important to make time to see your primary care physician and schedule other important screening appointments, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and gynecological exams.\u201d<\/p>\n

Women face different health concerns at each stage of their lives. In your 20s and 30s, it\u2019s important to learn your health history, establish healthy routines, protect and manage your gynecologic health, and wear sunscreen daily.<\/p>\n

Starting at age 30, women should have screening blood work to check their glucose, electrolytes, lipids, vitamin D, CBC (hemoglobin), thyroid, and other important measurements as a baseline for years to come.<\/p>\n

At age 40, women should have a baseline mammogram and talk to their physician about breast cancer risks. Experts recommend a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer for women at age 45. In their late 40s and early 50s, women need to think about how perimenopause and menopause may affect their health, including their bone density.<\/p>\n

Women age 60 and older should focus on managing health concerns associated with aging, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer risk, and osteoporosis. It\u2019s also important for all women to continue with vaccinations, including the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters, flu shots, shingles vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, and tetanus booster. Your provider will let you know when you are due for vaccinations.<\/p>\n

Start Healthy Habits<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s never too early, or too late, to establish healthy habits. Eating a balanced diet, getting at least 30 minutes of exercise each day, and aiming for seven to nine hours of sleep each night are important steps for overall health and well-being.<\/p>\n

Healthy habits can be managed by setting small goals to be more active and choosing to be more mindful when it comes to food, activity, and sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of my patients find that by keeping a health journal or habit tracker, they become more aware of their daily activities,\u201d notes Dr. Flaherty. \u201cBy keeping a log, women can start to see patterns in their diet, energy levels, and mood as a result of sleep, exercise, and water\/alcohol\/caffeine intake. Our bodies are complex systems, and everything is connected.\u201d<\/p>\n

Take Care of Your Mental Health<\/h3>\n

In the past year, more than one in five women experienced a mental health issue and the effects of mental illness vary according to their stage in life. Although mental health conditions do not discriminate, some are more common in women and many affect women differently than men.<\/p>\n

\u201cMental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, are on the rise,\u201d says Dr. Flaherty. \u201cIt is especially important for women to seek help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although you may not be able to prevent a mental health condition, you can take steps to protect and enhance your mental health. Here are a few things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n