Taking care of you

On Saturday 8 March it is International Women’s Day, which is a day that celebrates women around the world, their accomplishments and their contributions to society. It is a reminder for women to prioritise their own wellbeing so that they can lead healthy and fulfilling lives. It can be difficult for women to make time for themselves, find motivation to look after their health, and create balance in their lives.

Take control of your health

Women are living longer than men, but spending more of that time in poor health, suffering from more disability, memory decline and mental health conditions than men. To mark International Women’s Day, we want to empower women to make informed decisions about their health.

Cornerstones of women’s health

Here are some practices that can have a big impact on staying healthy and independent at different stages of your life.

• Staying active – by doing 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least 5 days a week, plus strength and balance exercises two days a week, you can reduce many health risks and improve overall wellbeing. Other benefits of being active are:
  • Improving heart health
  • Reduced risk of cancers
  • Improving bone health
  • Reduced risk of falls
• Eating healthily – eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health and can help you feel your best. Other benefits of eating healthily are:
  • Reduced risk of cancers
  • Improving heart health
  • Improving bone health
• Stopping smoking – there are many reasons to quit smoking, including improving your health, saving money, and protecting your family. Some big health benefits include:
  • Improving heart health
  • Reduced risk of cancers
  • Improving bone health
• Drinking alcohol at a safer level – it’s really important to know whether the amount you are drinking is putting your health at risk. Why not take our drinkcoach alcohol test to see how you compare? Reducing the amount you drink can have important health benefits such as:
  • Reducing risk of cancers (including breast)
  • Improving heart health
  • Getting better sleep
• Looking after your mental health is important, and talking to someone if you are down or anxious can really help. There is help available and our Road to Wellbeing pack can support you to:
  • Reduce anxiety and depression
  • Improve your physical health
• Access your health screening – screening allows professionals to find out if there are any potential health issues and lets them tackle them as early as possible, which increases treatment success. Here are some of the important screenings women are offered:
  • Cervical screening (Smear test) for ages 25 to 64
  • Health checks for ages 40 to 74
  • Breast screening for ages 50 to 70
  • Bowel screening for ages 50 to 74
  • Lung screening for those that have ever smoked, ages 55 to 74

All aspects of your health are important

Some health issues can be considered too embarrassing or are misunderstood, preventing women from seeking help when they need it and often impacting on mental health. We want women to feel empowered to have open conversations about issues like menopause, wetting yourself, struggling to go, or leaking, heavy periods, pain during sex, or vaginal pain, sexually transmitted infections and many other common issues, without shame or stigma. By trusting a health professional with these issues, they can explore ways to support you both physically and mentally and potentially resolve the problem.  

Your health experiences are unique, real and valid. You know your own body and what is right or not right. Seek medical advice if you notice a change in your health or if something doesn’t feel right. Be brave and speak up for your health and most important of all, know that you are so worth taking care of.