It's important for all women to be empowered to make healthy choices. What are the things that we should focus on to ensure that we have the proper tools to get on track? What better gift to yourself than improving your quality of life with healthy routines?
This month, take the opportunity to take care of yourself and find the time to sit down with your doctor or health care provider to discuss ways to take control of your health. Some of the changes in routine that can help create healthy long-term effects include eating right, exercising, quitting smoking and getting the care necessary to stay healthy. Fortunately, there are many websites, apps and people to help you track and manage your health.
Diet
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The journey to a healthier lifestyle begins with finding healthy food options.
With all the hustle and bustle, calories can easily rack up to more than you expected. As the rate of hypertension and diabetes continues to increase in the African American community, we must find healthier options that help decrease sugar and salt in foods. Another way to help create a healthy eating environment is to watch the portion sizes of meals and find an app that can help cut back on caloric intake.
With these small modifications, you can find over time your energy will increase and your weight loss goals will be met.
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Heart
According to data from the Institute for Women's Police Research, the biggest killer of women in the nation is heart disease. That means, 1 in 4 women dies from heart disease in the United States. Making the time to be your own advocate is a part of the change when taking charge of your health.
READ: How You React To Stress Could Put Your Heart At Risk
To protect your heart, it’s time you find any opportunity to get active, no matter where you are or what time of the day it is. The idea that working out means going to a gym and spending lots of time in a facility is all wrong. Making cardiovascular activity fun is part of experiencing new challenges. Changing the routine is the name of the game and it can start with walking the dog a little bit faster, taking a dance class or taking a brisk walk with a friend around the neighborhood for 20 minutes three times a week. Once you find ways to fit exercise in your life a routine will start to develop. Challenge the family to an activity together to keep family time healthy and happy.
Digestion
Changing how we treat our bodies is part of making sure we have sustainable lives. Getting your gut health in order is important and helps decrease inflammation within the body. There are trillions of microorganisms in our bodies which help digest and help us absorb our food in addition to strengthening our immune systems. One way to help protect the "good" bacteria in our bodies is to use probiotics which can fortify our natural gut flora. When there is imbalance within our gut, it has been shown to contribute to heart disease, allergies and asthma, skin disorders, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, digestive problems and much more. Using daily probiotics help prevent inflammation and minimize the effects of disease on the body.
Prevention
Preventive health is the best way to help us stay healthy, and help women take control of their own health. Every year there are screening tests that help prevent diseases such as cancers, diabetes and help enhance wellness. Using preventive services like mammograms, smoking cessation services and annual well-woman visits are helpful in taking strides in improving your health.
The ultimate goal in improving your health is becoming a little selfish to focus on taking time for yourself to get the whole body in tune and centered.
Dr. Jessica Shepherd is a women’s health expert and also the founder of Her Viewpoint, an online women’s health forum that focuses on addressing taboo topics in a comfortable setting. As an OB/GYN, she practices at the University of Illinois at Chicago and also serves as the Director of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. She treats women for obstetrics, pelvic health as well as pelvic and sexual dysfunction. Dr. Shepherd has written in various journals including Women’s Day, Women’s Health, Family Circle, Parents, LifeScript.com, Heart and Soul, Best Health and Essence. Follow her on Twitter @JShepherd_MD.
