Heart disease, stroke and cancer are among the most common diseases women have to worry about, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As caregivers, women often put the health needs of their family before their own. National Women’s Health Week, May 14-20, is an observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [1] Office on Women’s Health. It encourages women to make their health a priority and take steps to improve their health.
Women’s Health Tips
Whether in your 20s or 80s, experts offer several tips applicable to women’s health of any age, including:
- Eat a healthy diet. Nearly two out of three women in the U.S. die from chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes, says the CDC. A healthy diet and weight can help protect women from many chronic diseases.
- Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
- Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily. This amount of daily activity can lower risk of breast cancer and lower risk of dying early by 27 percent, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
- Reach and maintain a healthy weight.
- Pay attention to mental health, including managing stress. Each year, one in five women in the U.S. has a mental health problem such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or an eating disorder, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.
- Don’t smoke or use illegal drugs, and limit alcohol use. Smoking causes 80 percent of lung cancer deaths among women, the American Cancer Society says.
- Wear a seatbelt and do not text and drive. Seat belts lower risk of dying in a car crash by 45 percent and cut risk of serious injury by 50 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- Visit the doctor at least once a year for a preventive check up. Use this time to discuss with your doctor family history, personal habits and what tests and health screenings are necessary to schedule.