Today is the 28th National Women’s Health & Fitness Day, and there’s never been a better time to spotlight all of the ways to maximize your personal wellness. Los Angeles OB/GYN Dr. David Ghozland notes that healthy aging encompasses many components, including annual well-woman exams, a healthy sex life and taking time to focus on activities you enjoy. To celebrate this annual event, here are some tips to help you make healthy a priority:
Get moving
Don’t just take a walk around the block – mix up your routine by trying a new sport, taking a class or downloading a new fitness app. Variety can ward off fitness boredom and keep you on task.
Schedule your well woman exam.
Annual gynecological exams and routine screenings are essential to a woman’s health. Depending on your age and health history, a mammogram may also be recommended. Make an appointment today if you are overdue.
Veg out
Everyone knows they should eat more vegetables. Trick your picky palate by adding spinach and kale to fruit smoothies and shredding some zucchini into muffins and baked goods.
Squeeze in a siesta
Nobody really gets as much shut-eye as they’d like. Work power naps into your afternoon routine to boost your energy and productivity levels.
Check your bone density
Ask your doctor about a bone density test during your next office visit. Make sure your diet includes enough calcium and vitamin D to keep bones strong and healthy.
Take care of your largest organ
Your skin takes a lot of abuse from the elements every day. Make sure regular skin exams and skin cancer screenings are part of your health routine.
Protect the girls
At-home breast exams are one of the best ways to catch problems early. If you find a lump or anything unusual, schedule an appointment with your physician right away.
Get intimate
Regular, satisfying sexual activity can lower stress, improve your mood and put a smile on your face. If aging, childbirth or hormonal changes have negatively impacted your libido, see your OB/GYN for solutions to help you get your groove back.
Decompress
Stress has many negative health side effects, including weight gain, mood swings, insomnia and overeating. Schedule regular massages, take hourly stretch breaks, try meditation or yoga and find ways to manage stress in a healthy way.
A national day that reminds women to make health and wellness a priority is a great place to begin turning positive practices into healthy, lifelong habits. In his Los Angeles OB/GYN practice, Dr. Ghozland advises women to engage in activities that make them feel good. Healthy living is essential to a long happy life – make every day a celebration of health and fitness by incorporating small changes that can offer significant benefits.