May 13-19 is National Women’s Health Week!
Ladies, that means it’s time to celebrate our triumphs, admit our mistakes and make a renewed commitment to health and happiness. Here are several (easy) health tips to help you get started:
1. Make time for sleep! I know your to-do list is about two miles long. But if you want to take care of your health, you have to hit the hay. (Looking for a way to unwind before bedtime? Head over to Momonomics.com and have a laugh.)
2. Visit the doc. Don’t skip out on important screenings – like pap smears (every 3 years), mammograms (every 2 years after age 50), blood pressure and cholesterol tests (annually).
3. Exercise, exercise, exercise. Everybody knows exercise is important, but this point can’t be stressed enough. Regular exercise (such as a 30 minute brisk walk every day) can reduce your risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes and a host of other health conditions common in women.
4. Eat a colorful diet. No, I’m not talking about grape soda and Skittles. Make sure most of the color in your diet comes from at least 5 servings of vibrant fruits and vegetables, which are rich in valuable vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. (Remember, 1 serving of leafy greens fits in your fist and 1 serving of fruit is equal to a baseball-sized apple or orange.)