It’s Women’s Health Week (and Month)!

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Stay active. Eat healthy. Get Good Sleep. Most important? Start today. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH) created National Women’s Health Week (NWHW) as a way to encourage all women to make the choices which are right for them.

The observance, which begins each Mother’s Day, this year runs from May 12 – 18, 2024. National Women’s Health Week  also encourages women to consider the factors that influence their mental health, such as managing stress, in order to ward off anxiety and depression. This year marks the 22nd annual event.

Prioritizing your health – both physical and mental – has never been more important. Over the past few years, many women have put off taking care of their general health and wellness needs. They have adjusted their daily routines, including the way they connect with family and friends. The combination has led to serious health problems for some women.

During National Women’s Health Week, OWH is encouraging women and girls to reflect on their individual health needs and take steps to improve their overall health. Whether you continue your current activities or find news ones, now is a great time for all women and girls to focus on better health, especially those with underlying health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and women 65 years and older.

National Women’s Health Week is also a great time for family, friends, and the greater community to take actions to support women and help them achieve the best health possible.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK

Take these steps from the Office on Women’s Health to start your journey to good health.

Schedule your Annual Physical and other Health Appointments.

Talk to your doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, and/or physician assistant about the following:

  • Preventive care such as PAP smears, mammograms, bone density scans, stress tests, cholesterol screenings, blood pressure screenings, physical exams, and other preventive health screenings that you may have missed during the pandemic. Not sure what they are? Click here:Health screenings for women ages 18 to 39
  • Health screenings for women ages 40 to 64
  • Health screenings for women age 65 and older
  • If stress, anxiety, or depression is getting in the way of your daily activities.
  • If you are feeling sad, overwhelmed, or are unable to eat or sleep for longer than two weeks after the birth your baby. You may be experiencing postpartum depression.

Maintain a Healthy Weight.

Maintaining a healthy weight can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It can also lower the risk of many different cancers. Healthy weight is different for everyone, but it’s important to know what a healthy weight is for you. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or registered dietician about your health goals and create a plan specific for you.

Get Moving and Stay Active.

Being physically active is one of the most important actions you can take at any age to improve your health. Did you know? The HHS  Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans defines physical activity generally as any movement that enhances health. That means you activities such as gardening and cleaning can count as physical activity.

Nourish from the Inside Out.
Eat well-balanced meals and snacks.

  • Heart-healthy eating involves choosing certain foods, such as fruits and vegetables, while limiting others, such as saturated and trans fats and added sugars.
  • Explore tips at nutrition.gov for eating at home and in restaurants to ensure balanced, weight-healthy meals.
  • Vitamin D is a nutrient your body needs for building and maintaining healthy bones. The body can only absorb calcium when vitamin D is present. Vitamin D’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties support immune health, muscle function and brain cell activity. Foods such as milk, yogurt, orange juice, cereals, oily fish such as salmon, rainbow trout, canned tuna, and sardines are all great sources of Vitamin D.
  • Calcium is also important, especially for bone health across the lifespan. The best sources of calcium are dairy products, including milk, yogurt, cheese, and calcium-fortified beverages such as almond and soy milk. Calcium is also found in dark-green leafy vegetables, dried peas and beans, fish with bones, and calcium-fortified juices and cereals.

Practice Self-Care for your Mental Health.

Find healthy ways to Manage Stress.

  • Build a toolbox full of healthy ways to cope with stress.
  • Simple, everyday actions such as scheduling quiet time for meditation, yoga, and reading can reduce stress.
  • Spending a few minutes in nature, getting out to exercise, or playing a favorite song can help you feel grounded.
  • Learn about the difference between stress and anxiety and how you can cope here: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet.

Create Good Sleep Habits.

  • About 1 in 3 adults do not regularly get the recommended amount of sleep they need to protect their health, and about 50 to 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder.
  • Sleep deficiency can lead to physical and mental health problems, including heart disease and depression, as well as injuries, loss of productivity, and even a greater likelihood of death.
  • Follow a routine for going to sleep and going to bed and waking up at the same time each day – even on weekends – to improve your sleep habits.
  • Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep.
  • If you think you may have a sleep problem, track your sleep in a sleep diary. Sharing the diary with your health care provider can help him or her diagnose a potential sleep problem. 

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