Celebrate National Women’s Health Week May 10-16

Chances are, you can name several women who have made a difference and had a significant impact on your life, be they your mother, grandmother, a favorite aunt, your sister, best friend, girlfriend, wife, daughter – the list goes on! What better way to honor the amazing women you know (including yourself!) than by encouraging them to make their health a priority?

This year CDPHP^® is celebrating the 16^th annual National Women’s Health Week. Organized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, the observance serves as an opportunity to educate women on how they can improve their health. Appropriately enough, it kicks off on Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 10 and continues through Saturday, May 16.

Steps to Better Health

Between work, school, family, household duties, and other responsibilities, it can be difficult finding the time for doctor appointments, exercise, and the like. But if these activities help ensure you’ll live longer and hopefully stay disease-free, aren’t they worth it?

While everyone can benefit from the following tips, women especially owe it to themselves to take these recommendations seriously and put their health first.

• Start by taking the National Women’s Health Week pledge. While you’re at it, check out the map at the bottom to see how many women in various age groups, including yours, have also taken the pledge.
• See your doctor every year. National Women’s Checkup Day on Monday, May 11 helps kick off the week by reminding women to schedule their annual well-woman visit. CDPHP fully covers this important women’s health benefit.
• Stay active. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity every week, as well as muscle-strengthening exercises on two or more days a week. CDPHP members have access to a wide variety of free wellness classes, including fitness classes. No time? Even everyday activities like vacuuming, walking the dog, and gardening will burn calories and rev up your heart rate.
• Eat right. A healthy diet consists of balanced portions of the five food groups, as well as certain “power foods.” CDPHP offers several resources for weight management and proper nutrition.
• Take care of your mental health. From crisis management to help with substance abuse, our behavioral health professionals are here to assist.
• If you smoke, quit.

These are just a few suggestions. The Office on Women’s Health offers more age-specific recommendations.

Help Spread the Word

Use your favorite social media vehicle to reach out to friends and family and help promote the importance of women’s health. If you’re looking to do more, the Office on Women’s Health offers several ideas, from healthy recipes to organizing a walk with friends and neighbors.

Photo by idccollage / CC BY