May is Women’s Health Month so how can we celebrate and focus on our well-being this month? A focus on women’s health might look like scheduling your routine screenings, going to coffee and chat with a friend, doing some movement through yoga, walking, running, weightlifting or eliminating foods that aren’t healthy. I recently have joined a gym and have cut out greasy foods and some meats to improve my diet. I have to say that I have noticed a difference in my digestion and overall energy!

Here are ways to pay attention to your health this month:

• Preventative Care: Schedule those annual screenings, check-ups, etc. Mammograms, DEXA Bone Density scans, annual PCP visits are all important to keep an eye on our health.
• Get going! We all know that exercise and diet are key to staying healthy, not just for weight maintenance but also for our total well-being. I read about the 80/20 rule – 80% of getting healthy is diet and nutrition and 20% is exercise.  Spending 30 minutes a day exercising is ideal and more doable for most people than say 60 minutes three times a week. I walk on my lunch break for about 15 minutes and then add in my dog walk when I get home and that totals more than 30 minutes. I’ve also added more leafy greens to my diet recently, and I have noticed that my energy level is greatly improved.
• Did you know that one in five women in the United States have mental health issues like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders? It’s important to stay connected to our social supports and to link up with a counselor if needed. I stay connected by texting with six friends every day. I have to intentionally set appointments to get together with friends in the evening or on the weekends; I put it in my phone and set an alert so I remember! 
• The Ohio State Employee Assistance Program is here for you if you need counseling. Feel free to reach out to us via phone – 800-678-6265 or by going online here 

Start now by doing something small to address your well-being. Make that phone call, connect with a friend, schedule your screening. Happy Women’s Health Month!

Reference: https://aylohealth.com/blog/4-ways-to-celebrate-womens-health-month/

Image credit: istockphoto.com