Healthy Living for Women of All Ages

There are many “rules” to follow when trying to keep yourself or your family healthy. Things such as fad diets and other trends can be confusing. Here are some basic rules to live by to help keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the new food pyramid that uses a colorful display of food portions, combined with exercise to suggest a daily intake of food for good health. It is no secret that nutritious food and drink can make a difference to improving your health. By eating a balanced diet, increasing daily fruit and vegetable servings and limiting fats, you may reduce your risk of certain cancers and chronic diseases.

Strive for a Healthy Weight

Obesity is an American epidemic and only getting worse! It is a major high-risk factor for many other diseases and conditions that contribute to poor quality of life, and it increases the billions of healthcare dollars every year. Talk to a healthcare provider or nutritionist about the best diets; those that will safely get the weight off and keep it off. A healthy diet combined with regular exercise is the best combination for successful weight loss and maintenance of a healthy weight for life.

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise

Lack of physical activity undermines all other health attempts. Exercise does not take a lot of time or money—just a commitment to get out there and get moving. More than 60 percent of Americans do not come close to the 30 minutes of daily exercise recommended for great health. Start out slow and build up to a comfortable level of activity. Make it fun by exercising with a friend, dancing, swimming, playing tennis or just taking a leisurely walk with the dog. Your dog will thank you, and you will be walking towards good health.

Put Out That Cigarette

Cancer, lung and heart disease, early menopause, infertility and severe pregnancy complications such as premature delivery are only a few smoking risks to women. The good news is that poor health from smoking often can be reversed just by quitting. If you don’t smoke, secondhand smoke is just as risky and particularly dangerous for children in the house. So, make the commitment today to put down that cigarette. There are many support groups, counselors and medications that can help you kick the habit. Ask your healthcare provider about smoking cessation programs in Knoxville. You also can visit www.smokefree.gov.

Routine Screenings and Exams

Yearly exams and routine screenings are the foundation for wellness, health prevention and disease identification and management throughout your life. Diseases that are diagnosed early give you a better chance of survival and improved quality of life. A focus on wellness prevents many diseases from ever developing. The routine exam is not just about good medical care, but it also gives you the opportunity to learn more about beneficial health habits, counseling and community support services and it is an excellent opportunity to learn to take care of yourself and your family for a lifetime.

Control and Manage Stress

Job stress is quickly becoming recognized as a major threat to the healthcare of employees, employers and organizations. It is a challenge to find the balance between work and family responsibilities for most Americans. Do you know what your stress level is today? Take the time to step away when stress becomes excessive and protect your mental and physical health. Talk with your healthcare provider about ways to engage in activities that will help you manage the everyday stresses of life and preserve the quality of life that makes it enjoyable. It is never too late to take time to smell the roses.

Know Yourself

Habits, work and home environment and lifestyle define your health and your disease risks. These are called modifiable risks, which often times can be changed if desired. Genetics, or the inherited traits you get from your parents and ancestors, also help to determine who you are, but these traits are not modifiable. You may be at an increased health risk because of what you do, where you work or live and how you play. Learning to live with the hand you are dealt and modifying poor habits that you can control is essential to good health. Know yourself, be yourself, do your homework about healthy behaviors and practice good health habits that will help you be your best for a lifetime.

Practice Safety

Safety is an essential part of health and includes everything from choosing the right friends to brushing your teeth.     Every time you buckle your seat belt,    apply sunscreen, put on a helmet or perform a monthly breast self-exam, you are practicing safety. Homicides, motor vehicle accidents, falls and machine related injuries are the reasons why most women die at work. Domestic violence is responsible for many injuries and death in the home. Always maintain a safe environment for you and your family in addition to living healthy.

Vaccinations are Not Just for Kids

Most adults cannot remember the last time they had a shot to protect them from disease. Periodic vaccinations for such diseases as tetanus, diphtheria and flu are very important to all adults and can prevent these life-threatening diseases when received before exposure. Some vaccinations are only given with certain lifestyles or when traveling to countries outside of the United States where some diseases are more likely to infect you. Be smart and stay up-to-date with vaccinations before you become exposed to and sick from diseases you can prevent.

Treat Yourself to Good Health

Absence of disease combined with a healthy lifestyle is the essence of optimal health. It often has been noted that optimal health is a holistic concept that requires physical, mental, emotional, sexual and spiritual harmony. In other words, mind, body and soul all need to be healthy. Be informed, know your body and seek healthcare early for problems or concerns before things get out of hand. Your health is the most precious thing you have. For the many things that your family depends on you to do, make sure you take care of yourself.