National Women's Health Week (May 9-15): A Time to Focus on Women, A Time to Focus on YOU
posted by Laura Wiemers RN, BSN on Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Do you ever feel stretched so thin that it seems like you’re barely staying afloat? Between work, kids, possible homeschooling, the never ending to-do list, not to mention your spouse’s laundry pile that can’t quite make it into the laundry…How can you possibly be a good mother, wife, or friend when you feel so drained? Women so often forget to tend to their own needs while acting as the glue that holds a family together.
An empty lantern provides no light; Self-care is the fuel that allows your light to shine brightly.
Mother’s Day, May 9, kicks off National Women’s Health Week 2021! This is a time to celebrate women and to encourage them to make their health a priority. Many also forget that a woman’s mental health is just as important as physical health, especially while we are all still feeling the effects of COVID-19.
A study posted by the CDC (Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention) states that by summer of 2020, 40.9% of study participants reported at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition related to the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an eye-opening statement that suggests you, or someone close to you, may be silently struggling. There are things you can do to improve your mental (and physical) wellbeing!
Tips on how to take care of your mental health:
- Stay connected with family and friends
- Take breaks from social media and news broadcasts
- Connect with your community or faith-based organizations
- Make time to unwind and focus on activities you enjoy
- Reach out to someone you love
- Pay attention to changes in your mood
- Be open and honest with your doctor if you need additional help
Other important tips on staying healthy:
- Continue to protect yourself from COVID-19 by wearing a mask and social distancing
- Talk to your doctor about getting the COVID-19 vaccine
- Catch up on yearly exams you may have put off last year (mammogram, annual women’s checkup, dental exams)
- Get 30 minutes of physical exercise every day
- Don’t smoke
- Decrease alcohol intake—no more than one drink/day is recommended for women
- Increase your fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Practice good sleep habits
As we celebrate National Women’s Health Week, take a second to celebrate YOU! Chances are you have done your very best throughout this difficult year. But remember, taking care of yourself doesn’t mean me first; it means me too.
We at Spencer Hospital are thankful for the opportunity to walk alongside you in your health journey. Contact our Women’s Health Coordinator, Laura Wiemers RN, BSN, at 712-264-6649 with any questions or concerns you may have.
https://www.cdc.gov
https://www.womenshealth.gov/nwhw/about
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6932a1-H.pdf
- women's health