But it’s not only mothers who need to keep an eye on their health. Given that the average American woman lives to age 81, staying healthy should be a priority for all females who want a high quality of life.
National Women’s Health Week — which runs from May 9 to 15, 2021 — is the ideal time to encourage women’s wellness in both the workplace and at home.
By 2050, it’s expected 92 million women will be a part of the traditional workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Right now, nearly 50% of the workforce is made up of women, making this a wellness topic that needs coverage in the workplace.
Help the women in your company take the step to better health this week.
Give the women in your workplace a reminder that their health matters.
Below, you’ll find tips and reminders specific to women’s health to share in honor of the health week dedicated to women everywhere.
Sharing health tips is a great way to kick off this health observance.
For women dealing with underlying health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, it’s important to stay on top of health conditions. Additionally, women 65 years and older should be encouraged to keep a watchful eye on their health.
Here are a few health tips to share with the women in your office:
To maintain good health, the female body demands a variety of high-quality minerals and vitamins. When you eat a well-balanced diet, you’re guaranteed to hit all the nutrient groups your body needs. A diet rich in fruits, veggies (especially dark leafy greens), whole grains, and unprocessed foods is the best way to ensure your body gets the right nutrients.
Females need these in particular:
Important note: If you deal with constant brain fog, brittle nails, constipation, and fatigue, contact your doctor to get blood work done. You may be missing key nutrients in your system or be dealing with a hormonal imbalance. If everything seems fine with the blood work but you need more answers, you may want to reach out to other sources. A functional medicine-style dietician may be able to pinpoint other problem areas and help you narrow down health concerns.
Unfortunately, women are more likely to deal with bone fractures than men. In fact, of the estimated 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, about 80% are women, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. It’s never too early to start thinking about osteoporosis prevention.
A few ways to prevent bone issues:
The time period prior to menopause is when women really need to be mindful of their bone strength. The more bone density you have when you reach menopausal years, the lower the chance of osteoporosis developing. Some women can lose up to 20% bone density in the five to seven years that follow menopause.
A monthly self-breast exam is an important easy and free way to stay on top of breast health. While no exam or equipment will always catch cancer, a combination of self-breast exams and regular check-ups can increase the chances of catching cancer early. Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers were discovered by women who did their own exams, according to Johns Hopkins Medical center.
How to check for breast lumps:
Never hesitate to call your doctor or gynecologist if you suspect a lump or notice a change in your breasts. It’s better to be safe and err on the side of caution. When going in for an examination of a suspicious lump, you can expect your doctor will examine your breasts and take down a family history before ordering further testing, if needed.
With the lazy days of summer coming, more time outdoors means staying mindful of regular sunscreen applications. Not only does frequent sun exposure increase the risk of premature skin aging (AKA wrinkles), it also increases the risk of skin cancer. Women who are younger than 49 actually have a higher chance of developing melanoma over any other cancer with the exception of breast or thyroid cancer, according to the John Hopkins Medicine website.
Use the ABCDE method to check for skin cancer:
If you notice any of the above changes, get to the dermatologist ASAP. Additionally, the daily use of a broad-spectrum that’s SPF 30 or higher can protect your skin from damaging UV rays. Avoid the sun midday and wear a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from skin damage.
While most women get about 11 more minutes of sleep than men, research shows they tend to get lower-quality sleep. One theory is that women take on more caregiver roles, which can interrupt sleep more often. Women tend to nap during the day as well, another activity that disrupts quality nighttime sleep, according to the Sleep Foundation.
Ways to get more deep sleep:
If sleep disturbances keep you from falling or staying asleep, talk to your doctor. You could be dealing with an underlying sleep disorder that may require medical attention. Quality, deep sleep repairs your body’s cells and also helps to keep your cognitive function sharp, so ensuring regular and deep sleep is a priority!
Most women wouldn’t put going to the gynecologist as their favorite to-do list item. But, the few minutes of discomfort is worth it if it can prevent more serious health concerns for your reproductive organs. Pelvic exams and pap smears are used in the detection of a variety of reproductive issues.
Regular exams are helpful in finding:
Your physician will have an immediate idea of anything serious, but will also confirm irregular results with further testing. Ask your doctor how often they would recommend a pelvic exam. Every woman is different and it will be based on her health history and symptoms.
This week is the ideal time to bring women’s health issues into the spotlight. There are a variety of ways to highlight women’s health and remind your female employees to take care of their health.
Here are some ways to participate in National Women’s Health Week:
How will you promote National Women’s Health Week in your workplace? Let us know in the comments below!
Want to help your team develop better habits? Check out our free resource Building Healthy Habits and download it today!