Every morning, you get up early to prepare breakfast and pack lunches for the kids. In the evening, you make dinner, help with homework and tuck the little ones in for bed. And when your spouse or your child feels ill, you play doctor by taking temperatures and administering medicine as needed. You are the official caregiver of your home.
Women all across the country take on the role of caregiver every day without thinking twice about their own needs or health. There is nothing wrong with showing your love and devotion to your family, but there is something wrong when you wear yourself out in the process. Remember, you have to take care of yourself first before you can take care of anyone else. The Office on Women's Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) encourages women to take personal responsibility for their own wellness in order to live longer, better and healthier lives. To get started simply follow these four basic steps:
Eat a Nutritious Diet
Begin your lifestyle change by making simple adjustments to your diet and avoiding excessive portion sizes. According to the Office on Women's Health, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is a central part of a healthier diet. By practicing good overall nutrition, you lower the risk of getting heart disease, stroke, cancer and osteoporosis.
Make Healthy ChoicesThe body that you have is the only one that you get. For that reason alone, it is important that you make wise and healthy choices about what you put into it every day of your life. Avoid the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco and be sure not to abuse any medications you may be taking. By putting your health first and making these basic adjustments to your life, you will have the energy needed to go on being the official caregiver of your home.Be Physically Active Every DayExperts say that a modest amount of daily exercise can prevent many chronic diseases from taking control of your life. And in some cases "modest" can be as simple as walking for a mere half an hour! Find a physical activity that you enjoy to help you work up a sweat such as walking, jogging, swimming or bike riding. Begin by exercising a few times a week, and gradually make the activity a part of your daily routine.Get Preventive ScreeningsA simple test like a cholesterol screen, a mammogram or a blood pressure check can reveal your current health status and identify a need to adjust diet or behavior. If you have a family history of heart disease or cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor about what screenings you should have done. Source: Jet. Powered by Yellowbrix.
