Topic: Women’s Health: Essential Steps for Taking Good Care of Yourself
These steps can boost your well-being and protect your health (and energy!) for years to come.
If you’ve ever put your own needs on the back burner because you have so many other demands on your time — job, partner, kids, parents or even the dog! — you’re not alone. Women juggle a lot and often place themselves at the bottom of the to-do list.
But to get the most out of life (and to help others), you have to care for yourself, too. Ob/Gyn Edward Chien, MD, MBA, shares six health and wellness tenets to follow for big personal payoffs, now and in the future.
1. Exercise regularly
Staying in shape is not just about a healthy weight. Exercising improves your health, helps you sleep better and boosts your mood.
“It also makes everyday activities easier, from lifting a toddler to tying your shoes to running down an airport terminal to catch a flight,” Dr. Chien says.
You don’t have to toss huge tires or run a marathon (unless that’s what you love to do!) to be fit. Aim for exercising 150 minutes a week (think: 30 minutes a day for five days). Do a mix of heart-thumping cardio and muscle-building moves.
2. Create healthy eating habits
Trendy diets come and go, some healthier than others. But what makes the most sense is to pick a healthy eating pattern that you can stick to long-term.
Consider the Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet, both heart-healthy ways of eating. Or talk to your doctor about the best diet for your particular health goals.
3. Get good sleep
You may never be a morning person, but a good night’s sleep can help you feel more chipper and think clearly. It’s also essential for good health. A solid sleep lowers your risk of getting sick or developing serious illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.
Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a night. But many factors can get in the way of falling or staying asleep, like late-night worrying or even staring at a screen (hello, phone scrolling) right before bedtime. Create a sleep routine to help you get back on track.
4. Manage stress
“Stress is a normal part of life, so figuring out how to manage it is crucial for releasing tension that builds up throughout the day,” Dr. Chien says. Learn how to combat burnout and frustrations in a way that works for you.
Topic Discussed: Women’s Health: Essential Steps for Taking Good Care of Yourself
About | OB Videos | Insurances Accepted | Blog | Providers | Michael Anthony, MD, FACOG | Noemi Maydew, MD, FACOG | Anne Bond Bonpain, MD, FACOG | Elita Wyckoff, MD, FACOG | Gilberto Rodrigo, MD, FACOG | Jennifer Fraley, MD, FACOG | Heather Flowers | Courtney Braswell | Services | Patient Care | Advanced Care Team | Testimonials | Contact Us | Patient Portal