It’s tough being a woman. Aside from dealing with societal stereotyping, we have to deal with many other challenging facets in our life. Being a mother, monthly periods, pregnancy, raising a family, and mood swings are to name a few.
Some women can get it together. Unfortunately, some women aren’t as tough as the others. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, women are more likely to be affected with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) than men.
So to all my fellow women out there, let’s bring out the best in each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Here are the top six natural health care tips that all women should try to lead a healthy lifestyle.
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Manage Stress
Stressors are sometimes inevitable. Since we can’t control having to deal with stress daily, managing your stress levels is your best bet to avoid feeling depressed and anxious. Here are a few simple steps on how to manage your stress:
- Have a good night’s sleep.
- Break the mold. If you’re always doing the same routine daily, try something new for a change.
- Talk to your friends.
- Spend more time outdoors and connect with nature.
- Get some good sunlight daily.
- Keep a stress diary.
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Exercise Daily
Women sometimes ignore breaking a sweat. Being healthy goes beyond skinny or slender figures. A holistic, healthy lifestyle involves mental, emotional, and physical stability. When you exercise, your body releases happy hormones called “endorphins.†These hormones are responsible for triggering a positive feeling in the body.
If you’re juggling between work, family, and your social life, taking a walk for 30 minutes daily is enough to stay healthy. There’s no need for gym subscriptions to break a sweat. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is another form of exercise which involves vigorous movements in shorter periods which you can do anywhere.
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Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
We have always been told to eat a healthy and balanced diet since we were kids. There’s no need to stop now. As your body ages, the immune system becomes more vulnerable and more susceptible to illnesses. Nowadays, physician advices to take more vitamin and protein supplements in order to overcome the deficiencies. However, it is always best to remember and teach others the importance of healthy foods and how it will affect our physical and mental health.
Incorporating fruits and vegetables in our diet daily will nourish the body with the right vitamins and minerals to reduce obesity, maintain a healthy weight, lower your cholesterol, and regulate blood pressure.
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Quit Bad Habits
As much as possible, quit or reduce the intake of alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. Smoking is not only bad for your lungs, but it also increases the risks of fractures as you get older. Do you know that women who smoke are more likely to get osteoporosis than men who don’t smoke?
Also, since nicotine and caffeine are stimulants, these chemicals will increase your stress levels more than ever. Alcohol, when taken in large quantities, will also act as a depressant.
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Take Care of Your Skin
Women who have healthier skin will have higher self-esteem. Boosting a woman’s confidence will encourage her to socialize more, lowering the risk of depression and other mental conditions.
According to the Mayo Clinic, proper skin care can keep your skin healthy and glowing. Some natural skin care tips you can do are:
- Use sunscreen daily.
- Stop smoking.
- Avoid strong soaps.
- Moisturize daily.
- Limit hot showers.
- Avoid unhealthy fats and refined sugar.
- Drink plenty of water.
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Adhere to Regular Checkups
Keeping your health in check also means consulting the experts. Visit your doctors for regular checkups. Prevention is better than cure, they say. Here are some health screenings every woman should get done annually.
- Blood pressure check
- Cholesterol level check
- Pap smear
- Mammograms
- Bone density screening
- Blood glucose tests
- Skin exams
- Dental checkups
Wrap Up
It’s tough being a woman indeed. However, women are also tough enough to handle any challenges that come their way. To be able to keep our bodies healthy, we have to nourish it internally and externally. Trying these simple and effective natural health care tips will drastically change your lifestyle positively.