Beauty starts with a healthy mind and body. Taking care of your health is one of the best things you can do for yourself. When you tend to your mental and physical body, it will help you feel and look great. No matter what age you are, do these seven things to maintain your health.
Keep Your Pelvic Floor Muscles Strong
Trying not to sit on a public toilet when using the bathroom is one of the most uncomfortable habits that some women go through. But did you know that squatting over a toilet seat will weaken your pelvic floor muscles? When your pelvic floor muscles are not at ease, your urine will spray and splatter onto the toilet seat. Weak Pelvic muscles over time will cause your bladder to not empty. Your body will start to signal that your bladder is full when it’s still empty, causing more walks to the bathroom.
To keep your pelvic floor muscles in good health, properly sit on a toilet to avoid a weak bladder. Use paper toilet seat coverings if there are any available to make your time in the bathroom a little more pleasant.
Take Vitamins
Vitamins can be a great way to maximize the amount of nutrition you need. Taking vitamins can be hard to remember at times. Make use of a pill organizer to remind you to take your vitamins. Always follow instructions on the bottle to ensure that you get the optimal benefits from your vitamins. Some vitamins will require you to eat or drink water before consumption. Remember, vitamins are just there to aid you in boosting your health. Vitamins can’t fix it all. It would be best to incorporate good eating habits along with taking vitamins.
Do More Than Cardio
When people think of exercise for losing weight or obtaining health goals, they think cardio. You can incorporate strength exercises to help you achieve those goals. Weight lifting at the gym doesn’t have to be the only type of exercise for strength. Try strength yoga or aerobic classes. Make exercising fun because it is a lifestyle change and shouldn’t be something that has to be a strict routine.
Having a consistent variation workout routine can help reduce stress and the risks of diabetes, heart disease, and depression.
Consider Genetic Testing
Although you are completely healthy and don’t have any underlying health issues, still make it a priority to get a genetic test. You want to know your family medical history to understand what to look out for when making healthier lifestyle changes. For example, if you know that women in your family have high blood pressure, ensure that you incorporate food and workouts that will help combat that.
It’s never too late or too early to know all the medical conditions or diseases in your family. Go to a lab to get your genetic testing. It usually takes a couple of days to get your test results back.
Reduce Stress
Stress can affect women differently. Ensure that you know what to do for yourself when you are stressed. If you like comedy, make it a priority to watch or go to a comedy show. Many medical professionals have stated that laughing is an excellent way to relieve stress. Or, if you are stressed and writing out your thoughts reduces your anxiety, then get a journal. Women have many responsibilities like taking care of children, working, maintaining a household. Whatever you have going on in your life, make yourself a priority.
Self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. You don’t have to go to the most expensive spa for self-care. You can create self-care habits at home. Do what works best for you.
Listen To Your Body
Our bodies have a way of telling us when there is something wrong. If you have been dealing with pain in a specific part of your body, don’t hesitate to get it checked out, even if you need a second opinion.
One of the ways you can pay attention to your body is by making sure that you check your breast for any lumps or bumps. Breast cancer is common for women in their 50’s. Women between the ages of 45 to 54 should start getting mammograms every year.
Ignoring pain or an unease feeling in your body is a sure way to delay getting treatment for critical health conditions. To get to the root of an issue, you have to address it early.
Get A Pap Smear
A Pap or Par Smear Test can help prevent cervical cancer by helping to detect it early. This test looks for strains of HPV that cause cancer or genital warts. When a doctor discovers cervical cancer cells after getting a pap smear test, you have a good chance of getting it cured.
Women should start to get pap smear tests at 21 every two to three years to look for HPV strains and cancer cells.
Test for STIs & STDs
Bodily fluids and skin-to-skin contact are ways to contract an STI (sexually transmitted infections) and STD (sexually transmitted disease). You can also get an STI and STD through nonsexual activities. Sharing a needle with a person who has HIV can expose anyone to the disease.
STDs are a lot more severe than STIs. STDs are a result of STIs. Most Sexually Transmitted Diseases start as STIs. For example, most HPV cases can go away without any medical treatment and don’t cause severe health problems. Although HPV is still an STI, it can still develop into genital warts or cervical cancer. At that point, it will become an STD.
Be sure that you test for STDs and STIs if you are sexually active or experience any nonsexual activity that can leave you at risk. Testing is one way to establish a healthy sex life. Encourage your partner to get tested as well.
You and your partner should discuss any concerns about your sexual experience. Having open communication can foster a healthy understanding. Communicate with your doctor if you are experiencing any pain or abnormal feelings after sex.
Take Action
Now that you know how to maintain your health take action to become a healthier you. If you are looking for ways to lose weight or get a lab test done, schedule an appointment with us. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m to 5 p.m.
